Sen. Kennedy Reveals The Bizarre FBI Hiring Rule That Stuns Critics

The Tuesday Hearing

Things got a bit spicy on Capitol Hill. The Senate Judiciary Committee held its annual FBI oversight hearing. FBI Director Kash Patel found himself defending a new policy that does not immediately disqualify hires who have engaged in bestiality. This exchange happened during a routine review, but the topic made it anything but normal.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana led the charge against the new rules. He grilled Patel over standards the bureau adopted back in June. A Daily Caller report indicates that updated standards permit applicants with histories of prostitution, employer theft, or animal cruelty to stay eligible. The policy change specifically addresses histories of bestiality. It allows consideration if the conduct occurred before the applicant turned 18.

Senator Dick Durbin also pressed Patel on the rationale. He read from the new standards and asked a direct question. Patel responded by arguing that the term “engaged” implies victimhood in many cases.

The “Victim” Argument

Patel insisted the bureau must not punish those forced into such acts.

He explained that the previous policy had automatic disqualifications. Patel noted the previous regulations automatically disqualified any individual who participated on either side of it. He claimed he eliminated that bureaucracy to help great Americans serve. He added that he removed bureaucratic barriers that stopped these Americans from serving, or at least from being considered, and he will keep doing so.

However, NBC News reported that some senators remained unconvinced. They questioned how someone could be forced into such an act involuntarily. Patel argued that traffickers force people into types of conduct like bestiality in “a lot of cases.” He emphasized, “It’s not an automatic disqualification.”

Sen. Kennedy’s Pushback

Senator Kennedy did not let the explanation slide. He asked why the bureau would even get into bestiality. Patel quickly emphasized that “we’re not into bestiality.” Kennedy replied, “I know you’re not.” The Senator then posed a hypothetical scenario to test the logic of the new rule. He questioned whether someone who participated in bestiality as a human rather than an animal ought to be disqualified.

Patel answered that if it was voluntary, the person should be out. “If he voluntarily did it, sure. But if he was trafficked into it …” he trailed off, implying the victim status mattered. Kennedy pressed further on the concept of involuntary participation. He asked how a person would “involuntarily do it.” Patel claimed human traffickers are the cause in many cases.

The exchange took a sharp turn when Kennedy focused on the phrase “either side.” Patel previously stated the old rules automatically disqualified any individual who participated on either side of it. Kennedy asked, “Either side of what? The bestiality?” When Patel confirmed, Kennedy asked, “So you disqualified the animal?” The room heard the absurdity of the question immediately.