FBI Director Kash Patel appeared to accuse Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania of using a question to stoke fundraising during a contentious exchange at a Wednesday hearing.
Patel testified before the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies about the FBI’s fiscal year 2026 budget request. Dean mentioned her role as a manager in the second impeachment of President Donald Trump over the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol building while claiming Patel was “weaponizing” the government.
“When can I, a former impeachment manager, expect the FBI at my door?” Dean asked Patel, who responded, “You want to know who was targeted by a weaponized FBI? Me.”
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Patel sued the Justice Department and FBI in 2023 over efforts to subpoena his personal email during the first Trump administration, when Patel was working for the House Intelligence Committee to investigate the FBI’s spying on Trump’s 2016 campaign. Patel uncovered details about the since-discredited Steele Dossier, which alleged Trump colluded with Russia during the 2016 election.
After a back-and-forth, during which Dean brandished a copy of Patel’s book, “Government Gangsters,” the congresswoman went after Patel again, accusing him of committing perjury.
“Should we worry more about your memory or your veracity?” Dean asked.
“We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury. Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony,” Patel responded. “Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit.”
Trump nominated Patel, who has a history of criticizing the agency over its probes into Trump, to be FBI director on Nov. 30, to replace Christopher Wray, who announced his intention to step down before Trump took office. The Senate confirmed Patel by a 51-49 vote on Feb. 20.
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