Kash Patel, Chris Van Hollen spar at hearing over drinking allegations, challenge each other to test

[0:00] Director Ciccata, you hold a position of public trust. [0:05] Do you agree that you should lead by example and be held to at least the same standard of conduct as you expect of ATF agents? [0:14] Yes, sir. [0:15] And would you agree that if one of your agents was unable to perform his or her duties because of excessive drinking, [0:22] you would need to take corrective action or disciplinary measures? [0:26] Yes, sir. [0:27] Director Sorolta, same question for you with respect to the U.S. Marshal Service. [0:34] Do you agree with the responses from Director Ciccata? [0:38] Reckon Member Van Hollen, that would be correct. [0:40] I would do that after a thorough investigation by our internal affairs. [0:46] Administrator Cole, same question to you with respect to the DEA. [0:54] Yes, sir. [0:54] I would echo what Rob and Gaddy have said after a thorough review by our OPR, Office of Professional Responsibility. [1:01] Yes, sir. [1:01] Director Patel, do you agree with these three gentlemen? [1:06] Yes, sir. [1:06] The FBI. [1:08] So you agree, Director Patel, that if one of your agents was unable to perform his or her duties because of excessive drinking, [1:15] you would need to take corrective or disciplinary action. [1:17] You agree with that statement? [1:18] We would implement the inspection review process just like these other agencies have their own internal investigations and complete that review. [1:24] As I said in my opening remarks, I really don't care about your personal life so long as you are able to perform your public and official responsibilities, which are awesome responsibilities. [1:40] Multiple reports, including reporting by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials. [1:52] You have publicly denied those allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit. [1:57] So today, as you testify before Congress, is it your testimony that those allegations are categorically false? [2:05] Unequivocally categorically false. [2:06] So there have been no occasions during your tenure when FBI personnel were unable to promptly reach you? [2:12] Absolutely not. [2:13] You can ask my entire workforce. [2:15] They hear from me at every single hour of the day, as do these great gentlemen here, as do the men and women of the interagency and state and local law enforcement in the White House. [2:22] And so there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you. [2:27] Is that right? [2:28] Nope. [2:28] It's a total farce. [2:29] I don't even know where you get this stuff, but it doesn't make it credible because you say so. [2:33] I'm not saying it, Director Patel. [2:35] It's been written and documented. [2:38] You are literally saying it. [2:39] No, I'm saying that these are reports, Director Patel. [2:42] Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gangbanging rapist was you. [2:51] You know, the only person that ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, D.C. at the lobby bar was you. [2:57] So the only individual in this room that had been drinking on taxpayer dime during the day is you. [3:04] Are you polygraphing? [3:05] Director Patel, come on. [3:06] These are serious allegations that were made against you. [3:09] They're not a lawsuit that you filed. [3:11] You drinking margaritas with a gang guy and you're true and on video. [3:14] Actually, it just goes to show you don't. [3:15] You running a $7,000 bar tab at the lobby bar has been filed by your own office. [3:20] This goes to show. [3:21] To drink during the day. [3:22] That's you. [3:23] This is the ultimate example of hypocrisy. [3:25] Mr. Chairman. [3:25] I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations. [3:28] Let me ask a question. [3:29] Statements from the media. [3:30] The fact that you mention that indicates you don't know what you are talking about. [3:36] Now, here, Director Patel. [3:37] The only thing I know is you're the one drinking margaritas with felons. [3:39] Actually, that's a false statement. [3:41] And I'm asking you about your statements. [3:44] I've answered that. [3:45] And I'm asking you about a particular report. [3:49] It's not a report. [3:51] So let me ask you this. [3:53] Are you willing to take the test, it's called the audit test, [4:00] that members of our active duty military and others take [4:04] to determine whether they have a drinking problem? [4:07] I'll take any test you're willing to take. [4:08] I will take it, Director Patel. [4:10] I'll take it. [4:11] You ready to take it? [4:12] Let's go. [4:13] Yes or no? [4:14] Let's go. [4:14] Side by side. [4:15] I'll take it. [4:17] All right. [4:17] I think that the fact that you're so good. [4:21] Have you ordered polygraph tests of members of your team [4:25] to determine how that story came about? [4:29] The FBI conducts polygraph tests all the time. [4:30] No, have you ordered polygraph tests for members of your team [4:36] to determine who was the source of the stories that I'm asking you about? [4:41] I don't order any polygraph tests. [4:42] There's an internal inspection review process for any and all leaks, [4:45] especially of baseless information at the FBI that's been in place for the last 30 years. [4:49] Those processes are followed by career intelligence and agents on the ground. [4:52] So I'll take that as a yes since you said that these were unauthorized disclosures. [5:01] I have another round of questioning regarding your firing people [5:04] who were important to gathering intelligence with respect to Iran, [5:08] but I'll wait for my second round. [5:09] Thank you. [5:09] Sure thing. [5:10] Sure.