Dem Senator Claims FBI Is ‘Very Functional’ After Bureau’s Numerous Flip-Flops On New Orleans Attack

Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar told CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday that she did not believe Democrats delaying President-elect Donald Trump’s FBI director nominee, Kash Patel, would hurt operational security, as the agency is already “very functional.”

Following the terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day, Senate Republicans have urged the confirmation of Patel and others in Trump’s administration who are involved in national security. On “State of the Union,” Tapper questioned the Democratic lawmaker about her response to the push, highlighting how she has already signaled opposition to Patel’s nomination.

“We have a very functional FBI right now that is investigating New Orleans, investigating Las Vegas,  came out, told the public exactly what was going on,” Klobuchar said. “So I don’t believe that to be the case. I believe our job — we just took an oath, I just took an oath, Jake, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and we have a duty to advise and consent a number of our Republican colleagues in the Senate agree.”

“That’s why we must have an FBI check on Kash Patel and these other nominees for these very serious security positions. We must know what their background is. We must see their financial disclosure forms,” Klobuchar added.

Lawmakers and pundits have questioned the FBI’s guidance over the years, with the agency receiving major backlash following the first assassination attempt against Trump on July 13, 2024. However, just one day into the new year, the agency has already flip-flopped on multiple claims concerning the terrorist attack in New Orleans, which killed at least 14 people and injured dozens of others.

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During a press conference a day after the incident, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Aletha Duncan told reporters