Kash Patel's Epstein Video Played In Congressional Hearing; Watch His Outburst — Trump News

[0:00] libertarian think tank kato and their analysis on violent extremism um and the right rising in [0:09] extremist acts i'd like to enter that into the record without objection thank you and i yield [0:13] back jelly yields back gentle lady from wyoming is recognized uh just very quickly um director [0:20] patel thank you for being here for your service to this country and for the transparency that you [0:26] have brought to the fbi and for the american people uh transparency that was absolutely [0:32] non-existent in the biden administration and fbi i believe that you might have been asked earlier [0:38] about whether you had had an opportunity to visit with any of epstein's legal counsel were you asked [0:43] that question earlier i i think so okay um one of the legal counsels or legal fixtures for mr [0:50] epstein was stacy plaskett the democrat delegate to congress from the virgin islands [0:55] so [0:56] perhaps for those on the other side who are interested in talking to jeffrey epstein's [1:00] attorneys they could sure visit with one of their own colleagues i want to focus on something that [1:07] i think is very important that has not been addressed enough today and that is related to [1:12] the consequences of the biden open border one consequence of the biden border crisis [1:18] is the impact that it continues to have on our tribal communities with the [1:25] cartels [1:26] taking advantage of our open borders are the mexican drug cartels by infiltrating our [1:31] reservations and bringing violence drugs murder trafficking and more last year when i questioned [1:38] the attorney general garland about what the doj was doing to protect these communities [1:43] he simply defect deflected responsibility and said that congress had not appropriated [1:49] sufficient resources for them to be able to protect our tribal communities mr patel what is [1:56] the trump fbi doing to counter the drug cartel in for infiltration and other violent crime targeting [2:04] our native american communities thank you it only took more than half of this proceeding [2:10] to talk about one of the priorities that the fbi has which is crimes on tribal lands [2:15] every single crime that we have been talking about whether it's predating child predators [2:20] human trafficking narco traffickers murder they all happen on tribal lands as well and i've said [2:27] since the beginning it is a priority which is why we launched operation i've forgotten [2:31] on tribal lands and i'm the first fbi director to meet with the staff and tribal leaders [2:37] here in washington dc and elsewhere and invited them into my office and headquarters to see them [2:43] because i need engagement with tribal leadership and i need our police and fbi agents to be [2:47] engaging with tribal leadership otherwise we're not going to break through we have [2:50] 1900 indian country cases open right now we've got 600 indictments this year alone [2:56] We cannot forget tribal lands. Every single one of those people lives in the [3:00] United States of America and it is an absolute priority to protect them and [3:04] their children just as it is anyone else. So I think it's fair to say that what [3:08] Mary Garland testified to that they didn't that the FBI and DOJ did not have [3:13] the resources to address that. I think that that was an absolutely false [3:16] statement. Would you agree with me? It's a decision by him not to do so. That's not [3:20] my decision. At the end of August the US Attorney and FBI announced that nearly [3:25] 100 personnel representing members of the Safe Trails Task Force operated near [3:30] Wyoming's Wind River Reservation to assist with reducing drug trafficking [3:34] and illegal guns. Director Patel, you have routinely stated that it is your [3:39] mission to partner with and strengthen local and state law enforcement partners. [3:43] How does the task force and other FBI efforts bring tribal law enforcement [3:48] into this process? The major problem with tribal lands is the sheer tyranny of [3:54] geography. [3:55] and [3:55] amount of coverage that they have on land versus the personal they have to do it so what we've done [4:01] is constantly surge resources to tribal lands across this country on a 30 60 90 day rotating [4:07] basis reporting back to us saying who needs more and what we found is that most of these lands can [4:14] be assisted by our counter uas program our drone capabilities and we're going to do it because [4:19] what's happening is the mexican drug cartels are literally flying overhead dropping their cargo [4:24] their narcotics onto this land where no one's looking and then it's being disseminated to [4:29] children to youth to adults on that land and killing them and we got to stop it before it [4:34] gets dropped off well and your testimony proves that the biden administration did not lack the [4:39] resources to address drug and violent crime in tribal communities or around the united states [4:46] it instead expended and wasted these resources investigating parents catholics we now find out [4:53] turning point usa [4:54] the rnc and republican organizations rather than protecting our native americans by closing the [5:01] border is that fair i think so wonderful thank you and i uh i do appreciate the work that you've [5:07] done in this regard i was previously the chairman of the subcommittee on indian and insular insular [5:12] affairs with the natural resources committee and safety and security on our reservations and for [5:18] our tribal members has been one of our priorities one of my priorities and i very much appreciate [5:24] what the fbi has done let me know if there's anything else i can do to help you and with that [5:29] i yield back i will ma'am gentlelady yields back the gentlelady from georgia is recognized [5:34] thank you chairman and thank you for coming in today mr patel in the past few months the country [5:40] has experienced a string of horrific high-profile attacks that have been motivated by racial hatred [5:46] or political ideology shooter attack the cdc headquarters firing hundreds of rounds and killing [5:53] a police officer [5:55] has set fire to the pennsylvania governor josh shapiro's residence with the governor and his [6:00] family actually inside minnesota house speaker melissa hortman and her husband were assassinated [6:06] earlier this year clark and charlie kirk was murdered last week bomb threats have been made [6:12] against hbcus and the dnc and just the list goes on and on i only have just a few minutes today so [6:18] i don't want to take a lot of time to go into all the countless and devastating violent crimes and [6:24] incidents that have happened at our schools [6:25] or on our streets and in our communities that have just been happening all year long [6:30] mr patel just yes or no is this type of political violence ever acceptable in your eyes no i'm glad [6:39] that we agree that these heinous acts designed to instill fear and division in our nation are [6:45] never ever acceptable yet each of these incidents has recently taken place under your watch [6:50] the fbi's website states that protecting the united states from terrorist acts is the fbi's number one [6:57] priority including from domestic terrorists is this still your number one priority domestic [7:03] terrorism preventing domestic terrorism our number one priorities are protecting the homeland and [7:09] international terrorism and crushing violent crime and domestic terrorism sort of interlays between [7:14] both of those okay so well then i'm glad that you're giving us the right answer but unfortunately [7:20] your actions kind of tell a different story earlier this year you granted the ranks of the fbi's [7:26] domestic terrorism operations section [7:29] this is the section of the fbi that is most directly responsible for addressing political [7:34] violence in our country by preventing attacks from occurring and effectively responding to them [7:40] if they do the agents in this section are the ones who stopped an individual stockpiling weapons who [7:46] plan to attack schools and churches in florida and seize bombs made by an isis sympathizer in new [7:53] orleans and instead of ensuring that this section has all the resources that it needs at a time [7:59] when its mission is critical you fired its decorated veteran fbi agents who have served [8:07] their country proudly under republican and both democratic presidents and you scrapped the tools [8:13] that they develop to fight domestic terrorism including the national domestic terror terrorism [8:18] incident database i mean most of that is just not true we have 1700 current dt managed programs [8:25] we're up 300 percent in the amount of cases we brought against nihilistic [8:30] extremists including 764 wishing to harm our children the fbi and the men and women are [8:35] getting after that problem set more than ever because i've unleashed them to do so in any [8:39] situation that these tragic occurrences across the country are somehow singularly my fault or [8:45] disgusting because that watershed goes mr patella i'm going to reclaim my time mr patella they are [8:51] not responsible for it i'm happy to work with you to get them what they need controls the time [8:57] unanimous consent request [9:00] very much into the record an article from reuters titled fbi scales back staffing tracking of [9:05] domestic terrorism probes sources say thank you very much i appreciate that so mr patel and it [9:12] isn't just the domestic terrorism operations section under your watch agents are fully [9:16] diverting their attention to these anti-immigrant and city takeover operations leaving our children [9:22] vulnerable to dangerous networks of online predators both domestic and international [9:27] you pulled more than 120 [9:30] fbi agents from their normal duties to operate sobriety checks and conduct traffic stops [9:36] exposing the fbi's fleet of unmarked cars and thereby making it harder for the fbi to combat [9:44] violent criminal gangs foreign intelligence services and drug traffickers in the process [9:51] that's simply not true if we were not able to do two things at one time how would we be [9:55] seeing record amounts of fentanyl 23 000 violent felons [10:00] have been arrested belongs to the general lady twice as many as last year from georgia thank you [10:05] very much and this request basically is uh it is an article from rooters which quotes law enforcement [10:12] officers familiar with agents who once covered child exploitation cases but now focus on [10:16] immigration child exclusive thousands of agents diverted to trump immigration track down mr patel [10:23] in the short time i have left your tenure as director of fbi has been somewhat problematic [10:28] americans are left safe [10:30] left definitely less less safe under your watch you have gutted the fbi's ability to keep safe [10:38] from domestic terrorism you have sent fbi agents to conduct traffic stops and round up hardworking [10:43] immigrants who pose no danger to public safety people even president trump referred to as good [10:48] long-time workers your job is to protect and serve the american public i'm the general lady [10:54] it's your time protecting heinous individuals and using the fbi to serve as a political circuit [11:00] and i yield jelly yields man respond i sure can simply put what is it are we failing if we're [11:06] failing how are we arresting 23 000 violent felons twice as many as this time last year are we failing [11:15] because if we're failing how are we seizing 1500 kilograms of meth 25 increase from last year [11:19] are we failing because we captured four top 10 fbi most wanted from around the world in seven [11:25] months that's more than the entirety of the last administration are we failing because we put 1 500 [11:30] kilograms of meth into our fetal tumor is about 30 percent more than our target population of men's [11:33] population of women we are now on the verge of a Gestapol that is 28 percent chained by 12 years in which the fbi has been active for the past year and we have lost nearly 10,000 of them has failed for the last year and we are on the verge of a total of 4,200 women who have been directly targeted against this policy and the! [11:33] Because we put 1,500 child predators in prison. [11:35] Are we failing? [11:36] Because we dismantled 300 human trafficking networks. [11:39] Which is it? [11:39] You don't like me, that's fine. [11:41] But don't you dare disparage the men and women of the FBI [11:43] that are producing record results in a historic fashion to protect this country. [11:47] They are kicking ass for America, and they're going to continue to do so. [11:50] We appreciate your leadership. [11:51] The gentlelady from Florida is recognized. [11:55] When I was home recently, I met with the agents leading the Tampa office of the FBI, [12:01] and I saw what they're focused on in my community. [12:04] Stopping drug traffickers, rescuing children from exploitation, fighting cybercrime, [12:10] protecting us from acts of terrorism, foreign and domestic. [12:14] And I know from my time as a federal prosecutor and a judge [12:18] that this work by the Bureau doesn't make headlines, but it is happening every single day. [12:24] At the top, accountability is necessary, transparency is critical, [12:28] but today we've seen an effort not just to diminish, [12:31] but to distort the work of Director Patel and the agents he leads. [12:36] If we really care about transparency and about truth, [12:40] then what we owe to the American people is this reality, [12:43] that thousands of dedicated professionals at the FBI wake up every single day [12:48] thinking not about themselves, but about this country, [12:51] and keeping every single one of us and our children safe from harm. [12:55] And Director Patel, I would like to hear from you the facts about what the FBI, [13:00] is doing in your efforts to fight crime. [13:03] Director Patel, isn't it correct that since January 20th, 2025, [13:07] the FBI has made over 25,000 immigration-related arrests, [13:12] including 350 members of Trinidad and Ragua, and 195 members of MS-13? [13:18] Those numbers are accurate. [13:19] The Trinidad and Ragua numbers are up over 350% from the year before. [13:23] And during that same period, hasn't the FBI seized over 66,000 kilos of cocaine, [13:29] 6,000 kilos of meth, [13:31] and 1,500 kilos of fentanyl? [13:33] Not to be nitpicky, but it's 89,000 kilos of cocaine and 7,300 kilograms of meth. [13:39] And isn't it also true that the FBI Tampa Division's Panama Express Strike Force [13:44] specifically seized nearly 67,000 kilos of cocaine, [13:48] valued at more than $1.6 billion from illicit maritime vessels? [13:52] One of our best operations out of the Port of Tampa, [13:54] and I was down there in South Florida when Panex did their work. [13:57] Director Patel, since October 7th, 2023, [14:01] Hamas attack, the FBI has been a co-leader of the Joint Task Force October 7th. [14:06] Isn't it correct that this task force is actively working to bring justice for victims [14:11] and to prevent terrorist infiltration at our borders? [14:13] Yes, ma'am. [14:15] Since January 20th, hasn't the FBI arrested 59 foreign intelligence operatives [14:20] for spying or smuggling dangerous material into the United States? [14:24] Yes, we have, and that's on track to be more than 25% than ever before. [14:29] And the FBI has also been leading, [14:31] operations against major cyber threat actors, [14:34] including those from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. [14:37] Isn't that right? [14:38] A 17% increase from year to date last year. [14:41] Director Patel, the FBI's Child Exploitation Task Forces continue to investigate [14:47] predators who target children online and across our communities. [14:50] How significant is that threat today? [14:53] And what results have you seen under your tenure in bringing these offenders to justice? [14:57] We have under Operation Grayskull dismantled dark web, [15:01] units that are operating online, not just in the United States, [15:04] but across the world to do our children harm. [15:08] We have taken into custody more suspects than ever before on those who seek to harm our children. [15:13] That is what the men and women of the FBI do, and that's what they're going to continue to do. [15:16] Those are the real results when you let good cops be cops. [15:19] And when you let us get on these platforms and expose them to the public and show them the harms [15:23] of these predators on these online gaming systems and social media systems. [15:27] And we need more help from Congress to allow us more authorities to do that work. [15:31] The FBI laboratory manages the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS, [15:36] which compares over 25 million DNA profiles and aids more than 125 investigations each day. [15:44] Director Patel, why is this important to law enforcement nationwide? [15:47] All of law enforcement relies on our sieges operation out of West Virginia. [15:52] And what that does is allow 19,000 agencies to come in and say, hey, [15:56] does this guy have a criminal history? Hey, is this an illegal firearm? Do we have a DNA [16:01] hit? [16:01] Like we did in these recent assassinations. [16:06] That's what the FBI brings to bear because local and state law enforcement agencies [16:10] just don't have that capability. And we're doing it 24-7, 365. Sieges does not close for one minute. [16:16] In your testimony, you noted that the FBI has ongoing counterintelligence investigations [16:22] into China, Iran and Russia across all 55 field offices. Why is it essential to maintain that [16:28] scope of coverage? And what success can you point to in disrupting nation state actors? [16:32] Our biggest [16:32] threats involving nation state actors are the PRC, Russia and China. And they are up 33%, [16:38] 83% and 60%, respectively, in arrest alone this year. Those nation state actors wish to do harm [16:46] in our infrastructure, our critical infrastructure system, our energy, our water supply, [16:50] and also go after and target individuals and senior citizens and take their money [16:54] through online pig butchering schemes, which we've exposed in Cambodia by way of the CCP. [16:59] This is groundbreaking work that the American public should be seeing [17:02] that their FBI is doing and I'm happy to have the opportunity to report on it. [17:06] Angela promise. Thank you, Director Patel. [17:08] I yield back. [17:08] Senator Patel. [17:09] The gentle lady from [17:11] Mr. Chairman. [17:12] I have a couple things. [17:13] There was content. [17:14] Thank you so much. I appreciate it. In response to Mr. Mattel making the remarks that [17:19] maybe our colleagues are disparaging the men and women of the FBI. I like to enter the record [17:25] three unanimous consent requests. One is entitled FBI is using polygraphs to test for officials, [17:33] loyalty. The second is Kash Patel knowingly broke law when firing top officials lawsuit alleges [17:40] published by NBC. And the third is FBI forces out more leaders, including ex-director who fought [17:48] Trump demand for January 6th agents names. Without objection, generally from Vermont's [17:54] organized. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Director Patel, thank you for being with us today. Appreciate [17:58] your time. Let me say at the top, political violence should have no place in this country. [18:04] And I strongly, unequivocally condemn the killing of Charlie Kirk last week. And this is exactly [18:11] the kind of case that warrants a swift and thorough investigation by the FBI. What shouldn't [18:17] be happening, however, is this administration's seeming attempt to exploit Mr. Kirk's death [18:24] within minutes of this horrible, horrible assassination, [18:28] dividing us even more. [18:29] And further, without knowing enough about the killer's complicated, confused political [18:34] ideology and the extent of his motivation. And this week, Vice President Vance claimed [18:41] that this is, quote, an extremely destructive movement of left wing extremism and said that, [18:46] quote, it's part of the reason why Charlie was killed. He pledged to go after organizations [18:51] on the left. [18:53] But Director Patel, it was just three months ago that Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota House speaker, [19:00] and her husband, Mark, were shot to death in their home in the middle of the night by [19:04] a self-identified right wing extremist and Trump supporter. When that assassination happened, [19:10] the FBI released a written statement denouncing the killings and pledging to hold the killer [19:15] accountable. And I thank the bureau for that. It was clear, concise to the point. But when [19:21] you compare that statement to the over 50 mentions of the Charlie Kirk killing and just [19:27] four for the Hortmans on account. [19:29] Affiliated with the FBI and your personal account, it appears to many Americans that [19:36] you're valuing some lives more than others. And that's painful. And this is what I'm hearing [19:42] from my constituents. So I just want to convey that to you. And the vice president didn't [19:47] even call on right wing organizations to tone down their rhetoric after that horrific killing [19:53] in Minnesota. And he never once spoke about dismantling conservative institutions. This [19:59] week, when that. [20:00] President was asked by a reporter about Speaker Hortman, he claimed he didn't even know who [20:05] she was. One of the most high profile assassinations of an elected official in recent memory. And [20:11] the president claims to know nothing about it, hasn't even heard of it. It was absolutely [20:16] devastating for her colleagues and for her family. And I think we all can agree in this [20:22] room that we have to stop this political violence. [20:24] So my first question to you is, Director Patel, what is your plan as director of the FBI to [20:31] turn down the temperature, especially in light of the fact that it seems like members [20:36] of the administration are reacting to political violence based on party affiliation? What's [20:43] your plan? [20:44] I can only speak for myself and the FBI. And what we're doing is I think I mentioned earlier, [20:50] we're following the money, because whatever attack you are describing, and they are all [20:56] despicable equally. So people need money to operate. People need money to conduct these [21:02] attacks to conduct these invest investigations. And so what we are doing is finding the people [21:07] that supported this infrastructure system, because even when you say there's a lone quote [21:12] unquote, lone wolf actor, he's not truly a lone wolf actor, something happened along [21:16] the way. [21:17] I agree. And so can I just just because we have such little time, are you making a commitment [21:22] right now, to follow where the evidence goes in investigating whether it's violence on [21:28] the left or the right? Because over the last 10 years, when you [21:32] look at the ideology I want to follow up on what my colleague from California [21:35] said when you look at the data you look at the Anti-Defamation League data 96 [21:40] percent of ideological motivated killings were committed by the right [21:44] wing when you look at the Institute of Justice report that she cited it's five [21:51] times the number that five times the number of far-left extremist incidents [21:58] are perpetrated by far-right and it's been reported and she mentioned this [22:04] that as of September 12 2025 just two days after Charlie Kirk's killing that [22:09] the DOJ removed that report from the DOJ website that's why Americans are [22:15] concerned that there seems to be a separate system of justice that if you [22:19] are a Republican that and you are attacked you will get the full weight [22:24] and authority of the FBI in this administration but if you are somebody [22:29] serving in the Minnesota State Legislature and you are assassinated in [22:32] your home that the response is different [22:35] and I think to ignore the threats from the right or try to do a both-and when [22:41] there are multiple instances when it's overwhelmingly coming from the right [22:45] this is a disservice because Americans want to know that whoever they are [22:52] whatever their political affiliation that the response is going to be the [22:59] same and it is going to be done with the same diligence and I'm wondering if you [23:03] will commit to me right now that you will be a voice right now [23:08] standing up to those voices in the administration that are adding adding [23:14] to the violent rhetoric right now that's what I'm asking you will you commit to [23:18] this I'm the general a's expired the gentleman can respond my voice will be [23:21] through the investigations that the FBI conducts and we will conduct them all [23:25] lawfully and equally can we expect in the future that your lady's in related [23:30] to one killing will be expired will be the same level of concern the gentleman [23:35] from Texas is recognized thank you sir director Patel thank you for being [23:41] here today and most importantly thank you for restoring trust and faith in the [23:45] FBI which has been severely eroded under the Biden administration thank you for [23:48] your service in your continued service in this capacity on April 7 2025 Charlie [23:54] posted on X assassination culture is spreading from the left 48% of liberals [23:59] say it would be at least somewhat justified to murder Elon Musk 55% say [24:05] the same about Donald Trump and California activists are naming ballot [24:09] measures after Luigi Mangione the leftist [24:12] is being whipped into a violent frenzy and setback whether losing an election or [24:17] losing a court case justifies a maximally violent response end quote and unfortunately [24:24] for Charlie that reaction also came when they couldn't win a debate on a college [24:29] campus you cannot be intellectually honest and say that this problem is on both sides it's not [24:36] just what happened to President Trump it's also what just happened to Charlie we've gotten to a [24:42] point where violence is encouraged we have a former president of the United States that opens up his [24:48] campaign in 2019 that's Joe Biden by saying that his opponent is a quote existential threat to this [24:54] country Houston we have a problem people that you disagree with are not existential threats [25:01] they are not Nazis there are not fascists they are not racist they are not deplorable they are [25:08] not irredeemable they are your fellow Americans who have a different perspective on how government [25:14] should work should run and what government should look like whether or not we should have strong [25:20] sovereign borders whether or not we should have safe communities whether or not we should have [25:25] places to worship our God and not worry about being shot whether or not we live in communities [25:31] and cities that are not overwhelmed by drugs and crime whether or not we have two genders and [25:37] whether or not we have common sense in our policies and our values and people that believe these things [25:44] existential threats I happen to be one of these people that believes all of the above and as [25:49] someone that served this country in combat I can assure you I give not an existential threat to [25:53] this country because I swore to protect her also want to point out how many cities have you seen [26:00] burned to the ground since Charlie Kirk's death zero no summer of love no riots no nothing no [26:08] looting no killing none we simply gathered and prayed for his soul his family in this country [26:16] is exactly what we represent and while we might be angry this righteous anger will carry on Charlie's [26:24] message Legacy I want everyone to know something very simple Charlie is not dead because of what [26:30] he said he is dead because people listened my time is limited so I have a few questions for [26:39] you sir and again thank you very much for being here I really appreciate your time and your service [26:43] um in your experience in the FBI have you noticed a precipitous rise in political violence and other [26:48] associated crimes that you have been investigating so far this year and if so is this trend in motive [26:54] left-wing or right-wing violence I could always speak generally sir there's too much political [27:00] violence and it has been a precipitate rise on on on too many fronts how do we solve this [27:07] we solve this by giving the FBI more authorities to go into and work with the private sector there [27:16] are too many online platforms there are too many social media platforms there are too many gaming [27:20] platforms there are too many [27:21] places for people from America and around the world to get together without their parents [27:26] knowing anything about it without their school teachers knowing anything about it and infection [27:31] infesting the minds of our children and infecting them with radical ideology and with that is the [27:37] root cause of these problems and we must tackle it it is not a 1950s America anymore in 2025 the [27:46] cyberspace needs to be tackled thank you switching gears when your presence when your presence is set [27:51] right there in that seat [27:52] a couple years last year in a committee hearing I asked a very detailed question about Matthew [27:56] Thomas Crooks the shooter responsible for the assassination attempt on president Trump's life [28:01] I did get an answer from Chris Ray that day and I submitted written questions to the FBI and into [28:07] the record of this committee and I want to resubmit those questions today because I think we are still [28:13] wait awaiting answers to those questions so Mr Chairman I'd like to submit some for the record [28:16] please I'd like to ask you sir and the FBI under your leadership would you please respond to these [28:23] doing that. As soon as the trial's over. Thank you very much. I will end with this. Charlie Kirk is [28:29] not dead because of what he said. Charlie Kirk is dead because people listened. He set up a tent [28:37] that said prove me wrong and exercise his first amendment right. That's all he did and we will [28:43] continue to do so in this country in order to preserve this constitutional republic. With that [28:48] I yield back. Thank you. Gentleman yields back. The gentleman in Florida is recognized. [28:54] Thank you Mr. Chairman. Before I begin I want to caution my colleagues on you know one-sided [29:03] violence in this country. We just heard that there were no riots on the right. We're literally [29:10] sitting in the building where there was a giant riot by supporters of the president the right. [29:16] We also heard that only leftists okay have said that Trump is a Nazi. In two [29:23] years 2016 the current vice president of the United States said Trump is either a cynical [29:29] asshole or he's America's Hitler. And so this is the problem. Like I don't want to have to say this [29:38] garbage but you want me to sit here and get painted with one brush the whole left. No no there are [29:46] extremes on the left and there are extremes on the right and we collectively should tackle that. [29:53] But to come here and just look at us and say we all [29:57] support what's going on in the extremes is why we can't solve anything in this building. [30:06] Director let me say first thank you for for being here and my condolences on the loss of your friend. [30:14] And I'm happy to hear that you want to do more on the social media platforms. [30:18] Okay it's crazy what's going on on the social media platforms. There are so many conspiracy [30:26] theories on what's going on with Charlie Kirk. Israel assassinated him. [30:31] Right. There are conspiracy theories about your personal social life all day. It is totally rampant. [30:38] Big names on the right. Candace Owens right talking about how the what's been released as far as the dialogue between the perpetrator and his roommate is manufactured by the FBI manufactured by the administration. [30:56] It is totally rampant allowing foreign governments to just perpetrate these platforms. [31:03] all of these bots all of the time to weaponize Americans. [31:08] You see what's going on here? [31:09] This is a byproduct of all of that. [31:10] What's going on in the streets is a byproduct of all of that. [31:13] What's happening is you see people celebrate. [31:16] Luigi Mangione is a byproduct of all of that. [31:20] And so if we want to do something, [31:21] then we should talk about Section 230. [31:24] We should talk about how we're going to make sure [31:28] that we don't let foreign governments [31:30] poison our children's mind. [31:32] And so I will work with you on that, Director. [31:34] I'll work with you on 230 any day. [31:36] No problem. [31:37] So, now, that was the good part. [31:41] I want to take your attention back a second, okay? [31:45] Breaking news. [31:46] Kash Patel is nominated to be the FBI director. [31:49] Dan Bongino is nominated to be the number two at the FBI. [31:53] MAGA celebrates, rejoices, bells are ringing out. [31:57] The team, Patel, Bongino, that sought out [32:01] every podcast microphone to talk about the Epstein list, [32:05] the names are finally going to get released. [32:07] It begins. [32:09] They produce white binders. [32:10] Phase one with the podcasters. [32:12] This is not actually one of them. [32:13] Of course, I made this up. [32:15] Your name's on it, right? [32:18] And the names are going to come out. [32:19] Pam Bondi says the list is on her desk. [32:21] Then a memo comes out all of a sudden and says, [32:23] there's no list. [32:25] Oh, no. No phase two. [32:27] Phase two binders never happen. [32:30] You said the conspiracy theories around Epstein [32:33] just aren't true. They never have been. [32:35] And yesterday, in an answer to Senator Kennedy, [32:38] you said the FBI is not in possession [32:40] of any credible evidence that Epstein trafficked girls [32:42] to anyone but himself. [32:44] So according to your testimony yesterday [32:46] and in this committee, [32:48] according to the evidence the FBI has, [32:51] the number of names on the list are zero. [32:54] Zero. [32:55] The index has been released, [32:56] and the number of people involved [32:57] in that trafficking operation were charged in 2008. [33:02] Other than Epstein and Jelaine Maxwell, [33:04] your testimony in the Senate and here [33:06] is that according to the evidence you have, [33:08] the number of people who were involved in that trafficking operation were charged in 2018. [33:09] The number of other names is zero. [33:12] That were charged based on credible evidence. [33:14] Well, who are the other names? [33:15] Give me the other names that weren't charged. [33:18] We are not releasing the names of anyone [33:20] because the Department of Justice never does that [33:22] of anyone that didn't have any credible information [33:25] Okay, let me move forward. [33:28] The president has, you've seen the picture of the woman's body [33:31] with the writing and the president's signature. [33:32] The president says that's not his, okay? [33:35] President says it's not his. [33:36] The Republican colleagues say it's not his. [33:37] The administration say it's not his. [33:39] Will you be opening up an investigation [33:41] into the Epstein estate for putting out a fake document [33:44] with the president's signature linking him [33:46] to the world's largest pedophile ring? [33:48] Will you be opening that investigation into that? [33:50] On what basis? [33:52] On what basis? [33:53] They literally put out a fake document, [33:54] according to the president, with a fake signature. [33:56] It's a forgery of the president of the United States signature. [34:00] That's the basis. [34:01] Sure, I'll do it. [34:02] Okay, I look forward to that investigation. [34:08] Oh, am I over? [34:09] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I appreciate your doing this. [34:11] The gentleman's time has expired. [34:12] The chairman now recognizes the gentleman from California. [34:14] Director Patel, as you know, my state, California, [34:19] is home to the worst public infrastructure failure [34:22] in U.S. history, known as California High Speed Rail, [34:26] although the name is probably a misnomer. [34:29] Earlier this year, I joined your counterpart [34:32] at the Department of Transportation, [34:33] Sean Duffy, doing a compliance review [34:36] of the federal money the state has received, [34:37] and the outcome was that the state has not complied [34:40] with the terms of its billions of dollars in funding [34:42] because it hasn't actually built anything. [34:44] And so that federal funding, [34:45] has now been cut off, but a lot of us in California [34:48] still have questions as to where all the money went. [34:50] We're 17 years in to this project, [34:53] and absolutely nothing has been built. [34:55] Not a single bit of track has been laid. [34:58] There are no stations. [34:59] There are no passengers. [35:01] And the plan initially was to have the whole thing, [35:04] L.A. to San Francisco, done by 2020, [35:07] at a cost of $33 billion. [35:09] Yet here we are in 2025, nothing has been built. [35:12] And according to the New York Times, [35:15] the project won't even be completed this century, [35:17] and the total cost is now estimated [35:19] to be over $130 billion. [35:21] So I just wanted to ask you, [35:22] do you think this is something that bears scrutiny, [35:24] or can you confirm whether there's any kind [35:25] of investigation going on at the FBI? [35:31] The FBI certainly can't investigate incompetence, [35:35] but the FBI certainly can investigate [35:37] and does investigate waste, fraud, and abuse. [35:39] And so if we have any information that indicates [35:42] that that happened in this situation or anything else, [35:44] we'll look at it. [35:45] Thank you very much. [35:47] We've also, you know, been talking [35:48] some today about the issues that occurred [35:51] at the border during the Biden administration. [35:53] And you might not agree with your predecessor on everything, [35:57] but you probably would agree with some of the statements [35:59] he made in testimony before this and other committees, [36:02] raising alarms about the risk of terrorism [36:06] from illegal border crossings. [36:08] Since becoming director, have you gotten some insight [36:12] into how well calibrated those warnings were, [36:15] and what is the status of that risk now? [36:17] Since becoming director, [36:19] there has been a sharp decrease of border crossings [36:22] for known or suspected terrorists from the southern border. [36:24] But unfortunately, there has been a sharp increase [36:27] of known or suspected terrorists entering [36:28] through our northern border. [36:30] And so what I'm trying to do is work [36:32] with our northern border states and our interagency [36:34] to tackle that problem. [36:36] But it is an absolutely massive border [36:38] that can't physically be sealed. [36:40] So we are gonna have to get creative [36:42] and put more resources into that. [36:44] And in a similar vein, [36:45] there were over 500,000 unaccompanied children [36:48] that crossed the southern border [36:50] during the Biden administration. [36:52] As we know, many were trafficked, [36:55] either through forced labor or sex trafficking. [36:58] Do you have any insight as to what the scale [37:00] of that problem was and how have things changed [37:03] over the last several months? [37:04] Other than what you outlined in terms of how it was described, [37:07] I don't have any additional details. [37:09] In terms of how many people are being trafficked [37:12] into this country, especially unaccompanied missing children, [37:16] that number is drastically reduced because the coyotes [37:19] that smuggle these children for their criminal activity [37:22] are the same ones that smuggle in narcotics, [37:24] are the same ones that traffic older-age women. [37:27] They're all interconnected. [37:28] And because of the sealing of the southern border [37:30] by this administration, that has come to a near halt. [37:34] That is a very important point, [37:35] that we have seen far fewer victims of human trafficking [37:39] because we've finally prioritized border security. [37:42] And by the way, you have children who are getting rescued [37:44] because of the immigration enforcement activities [37:46] that, unfortunately, some politicians, in my sense, [37:49] in my state, are trying to stop, [37:50] thereby stopping those kids from getting rescued. [37:54] We've seen, of course, a substantial reduction in crime [37:56] here in Washington, D.C., since the FBI [37:58] and the National Guard got involved. [38:01] I'm kind of asking you to state the obvious here, [38:03] but what is the mechanism there? [38:05] Why have we seen a reduction of crime [38:07] when D.C. has had such a huge crime problem for years [38:10] and then almost overnight we see such a big difference? [38:12] Because of the dedication of resources [38:13] from President Trump's administration [38:15] to utilize all federal, state, and local assets [38:18] in a heavily crime-ridden area. [38:19] I mean, if we did not have a crime-ridden area, [38:22] then homicides, carjackings, and gun violence [38:26] would not be dropping by 40, 50, 60%. [38:29] And when you allow the police, the MPD, [38:32] to work with federal authorities [38:34] and allow the National Guard to set up your perimeter, [38:37] this is what you can do in a few short weeks. [38:39] And we at the FBI, under Operation Summer Heat, [38:42] have set those Phase 01 operations in motion [38:45] four months ago quietly at the direction of President Trump, [38:47] so we are scattered [38:49] in cities across this country doing just that, [38:51] but we're going to need more help to complete the job. [38:54] Yeah, in too many places in this country, [38:56] crime has just been treated as sort of a norm, [38:58] that this is the way things have to be. [38:59] What's happened in D.C. shows that is not the case [39:01] if we have the right policies and the right priorities. [39:04] Finally, you know, this is tragically the second time [39:07] in as many years that we've had an FBI director here [39:09] following either an assassination [39:11] or an assassination attempt. [39:13] And so since there's been some time now [39:16] since from the attempted assassination [39:18] on President Trump at Butler, [39:19] would you say that the public's understanding [39:21] of what took place on that day is fairly consistent [39:25] with all of the facts as you know them, [39:26] or do you believe there's still material facts [39:28] that have not been made public [39:30] or are not fully understood by the public? [39:32] No, I think it's fairly consistent. [39:33] Thank you. [39:35] Gentleman yields back. [39:36] Delay from Texas is recognized. [39:38] Man, oh, man, there has been so much today, [39:41] and I truly don't know where to start. [39:44] So I'm just going to make sure that we start off [39:46] with a few facts. [39:48] So a couple of facts that we need [39:50] to make clear for everyone is that, [39:53] number one, Director Christopher Wray, [39:56] when he was appointed to be the head of the FBI, [39:59] was appointed by Donald Trump. [40:01] Now, I will agree that I definitely take issue [40:05] with a number of decisions that Donald Trump makes, [40:08] especially when it comes to the people [40:09] that he decides to appoint to very important positions, [40:13] including this one, because I did have to make sure [40:16] that I wasn't going crazy. [40:18] But when I say that you are the least qualified [40:20] FBI director in the history of the FBI, [40:23] that is real, because you are the only one [40:25] that never even served with the FBI prior to joining, [40:30] yet we are supposed to believe that you are the greatest thing [40:33] since sliced bread. [40:34] I didn't ask you a question. [40:36] Now, what I want to go through is to talk [40:39] about why you are a failure and why, honestly, [40:42] we just need to tell you bye-bye. [40:44] I know that you got a little upset, [40:46] and you put on your show for your boss, [40:48] because it seems like you're trying to save your job. [40:51] And I know that you wanted to do the same thing [40:53] that you did when it came to talking [40:56] to Senator Booker yesterday. [40:58] But let's go through some of your failures. [41:02] So before you were even confirmed, [41:05] and I think one of my colleagues, [41:06] my colleague from Georgia, pointed out [41:08] that you were already targeting career officials [41:12] so that you could direct illegal firings. [41:14] Mind you, these cases that you were so upset about, [41:20] which are the ones tied to Trump, [41:21] they were tied to his hand-picked FBI director. [41:26] And frankly, when people sit around and say things like, [41:30] oh, you know, we're happy because now we feel safe, [41:33] I don't know who feels safe in this country [41:35] except for the white supremacist, [41:37] because I specifically, as a black woman, [41:39] definitely don't feel safe. [41:41] And frankly, my colleagues have been real nice to you today, [41:44] and I applaud them, but I don't have the same demeanor. [41:48] Because I know that multiple colleagues, [41:52] out of the aisle, have faced death threats. [41:55] In fact, somebody tried to kill one of my colleagues, [41:58] and frankly, I don't know if this FBI, [42:02] or under your leadership, [42:04] if those people would have been caught. [42:06] I don't have any confidence in you. [42:08] And if we start talking about the reasons [42:10] that I lack confidence, we could start with you [42:13] not just wanting to acknowledge some simple facts. [42:16] Simple facts like the vast majority of the threats [42:19] are coming from right-wing extremism. [42:22] And I know my colleagues have tried to stress this, [42:25] but I decided that I would maybe do it in a different way. [42:28] Number one, I have a couple of UCs. [42:30] Kim Buck, one of multiple Republicans [42:33] receiving death threats for voting against Jim Jordan [42:36] as House Speaker. [42:38] Without objection. [42:39] Another one, Republican lawmakers [42:41] said she received death threats [42:42] after voting against Jim Jordan in Speaker's race. [42:45] Without objection. [42:47] In addition, there was another one from another colleague [42:51] who now is leaving Congress, [42:54] and they said that they were calling his wife anonymously [42:58] and threatening her life to the extent [43:00] that she ended up sleeping with a firearm. [43:03] Without objection. [43:04] Okay, so here's the deal. [43:06] How are we supposed to have confidence [43:08] when you're sitting up here telling the Senate yesterday [43:10] that it will take you 14 years [43:12] before you can get the FBI fully staffed to do their jobs? [43:16] You're also now redirecting resources [43:19] so that they can go and play ICE agents on the streets. [43:23] You're getting rid of your most qualified, [43:25] what-it-is-that-the-FBI-is-doing-except-for-trying-to-put-on-a-show [43:29] for the apprentice, or whatever you want to call him. [43:34] The day after all of this took place, [43:37] there was domestic terrorism that was taking place at HBCUs. [43:42] They were targeted. [43:43] Yet I didn't hear anything from the FBI [43:46] about what was going on. [43:48] And again, black people kept saying, [43:49] how did we end up in this? [43:52] Because the numbers are so very clear [43:54] that white supremacy is a problem, [43:56] and honestly, I've not heard anything out of you today [43:59] that makes me believe that you're going to do anything [44:01] about the white supremacy problem, [44:03] the one that is leading to children being killed, [44:06] children being shot, [44:08] as well as members of their community [44:10] as they're working, as they're worshiping in their churches. [44:13] The time of the gentlelady has expired. [44:15] If the gentleman would like to respond to any of that. [44:21] Well, I mean, I'll respond. [44:24] Kash Patel, as I said when I introduced him, [44:26] public defender, former prosecutor, top staffer on the House, [44:29] intelligence committee, [44:30] deputy director of national intelligence [44:32] with the National Security Council, [44:33] chief of staff at the Department of Defense, [44:35] and FBI director. [44:37] I think that's a pretty good resume for the guy [44:39] who's now running the top law enforcement agency [44:41] in our country. [44:43] And we've seen all the stats that he's given to the committee [44:45] on how much better they're doing at getting the bad guys [44:48] than the previous guy was doing. [44:49] With that, I recognize the gentleman from South Carolina. [44:52] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [44:53] Director Patel, I think you're witnessing some auditions, [44:58] clickbait auditions, [44:59] for the Academy Award for my Democratic colleagues. [45:02] We'll see how they fare as they're on MSNBC later on today. [45:07] But do you care, before I launch into my line of questioning, [45:10] to respond to Ms. Crockett from Texas on that very elaborate [45:14] and theatric display? [45:18] Here's what I've learned in my government service. [45:21] I don't give a damn what they say about me, [45:22] as long as I'm succeeding in the mission. [45:24] We're succeeding in the mission because the men and women [45:26] of the FBI have never been empowered to do more work [45:29] and to hit the streets harder than by President Trump's [45:31] authorities and resources he's given us. [45:34] And so all I care about is that we are capturing [45:36] more child predators than ever before, [45:38] taking more drugs off the streets than ever before, [45:40] that we are capturing murderers at a significantly historic rate, [45:44] and we're delivering this country the lowest murder rate [45:47] in recorded history. [45:49] That are facts that you cannot dispute. [45:55] But you can come at me all you want. [45:56] I don't care. [45:57] Thank you, Director, for that. [45:58] And we appreciate your service. [46:00] I appreciate the results speak for themselves, [46:02] I think, pretty plainly, and your commitment not only [46:04] to results, but to transparency. [46:07] So we do appreciate that. [46:09] Director, who was John Durham? [46:12] He was a former federal prosecutor, [46:15] United States attorney, and ultimately [46:16] appointed special counsel in the first Trump administration. [46:20] Correct. [46:21] And there was a document that he released in his findings [46:25] called the Durham Report. [46:26] What was the Durham Report briefly, [46:28] and what were the findings very briefly? [46:30] It was. [46:30] Every special counsel that's appointed [46:32] produces a report to the attorney general. [46:35] Special counsel's Durham report largely focused [46:37] on Crossfire Hurricane, and included extensive summary [46:40] findings in classified and unclassified manner. [46:43] And we released the classified version, [46:45] finally declassifying it for the American public [46:47] in this committee. [46:48] Correct. [46:49] And you released that in July of this year. [46:50] I think so. [46:51] Yes, sir. [46:52] Isn't it true that in the classified Durham annex, [46:56] as it's referred to, that in 2016, the Obama administration, [47:00] obtained intelligence information [47:02] from a source contained in two separate memoranda, one [47:05] in January of 2016 and one in March? [47:08] The two memoranda described confidential conversations [47:11] between DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz [47:14] and two individuals from the Soros Open Society Foundation. [47:18] Isn't that true? [47:19] As written in the report, I'll let it speak for itself. [47:23] In the Durham annex in January of 2016, [47:26] the memorandum noted in part that President Barack Obama [47:29] intended to scuttle the FBI. [47:31] The FBI's investigation into Hillary Clinton's private email [47:35] server and mishandling of highly classified information [47:38] during her time as Secretary of State, [47:40] isn't that found in the report? [47:41] I believe so. [47:43] Isn't it also found in the report [47:45] that in March of 2016, the memorandum also [47:47] included references to the same Obama effort to shut down [47:51] the Clinton investigation, but additionally outlined a plan [47:55] to falsely connect Trump to Russia? [47:58] Isn't that in the Durham annex? [48:00] I think it's in more than the Durham report. [48:02] Yes. [48:04] The memo also stated in part that, quote, [48:06] the Democrat Party's opposition is focused on discrediting Trump. [48:10] Among other things, the Clinton staff, [48:13] with the support from special services, [48:15] is preparing scandalous revelations [48:18] of business connections between Trump and the Russian mafia. [48:21] Isn't that also found in the now unclassified Durham annex? [48:25] I believe so, sir. [48:26] According to the Durham annex, based on analysis [48:29] and translation of the intelligence, [48:31] FBI analysts believed that, [48:33] special services could either mean the FBI or CIA [48:38] or the Trump dossier author Christopher Steele. [48:41] Isn't that in the Durham annex? [48:42] I believe so, sir. [48:44] When the Obama administration received intelligence [48:46] in March of 2018, Fusion GPS was preparing [48:49] open source opposition research regarding purported ties [48:54] between Trump and Russians. [48:55] The research was paid by the Clinton's campaign and the DNC. [48:59] Isn't that open source and also in the Durham annex? [49:02] I believe both. [49:03] OK. [49:03] And so also in the Durham annex, which I found interesting, [49:08] was the potential campaign plan was [49:11] shared with high-ranking career officials at DOJ. [49:15] Isn't that in the Durham annex? [49:17] I believe so, sir. [49:19] The Durham annex describes that in July of 2016, [49:23] emails allegedly between Leonard Bernardo, senior vice president [49:28] of George Soros' Open Society Foundation, [49:31] concluded or included data providing [49:35] specificity on the Clinton plan in an attempt [49:38] to smear Donald Trump by falsely linking him to Russia. [49:42] Isn't that in the Durham? [49:43] I believe so. [49:44] And so briefly, this additional evidence [49:47] that you've unclassified and released [49:50] to the American public, what does that purport to show [49:54] or augment about the Durham report [49:58] that you can share with the American people? [50:00] Put simply, that the FBI was weaponized. [50:02] Against a political campaign? [50:05] Yes, sir. Thank you. [50:06] Thank you for that, Mr. Chairman. [50:08] I yield back. [50:08] Gentleman yields back. [50:10] The... [50:12] I have UCs. [50:13] General Lea from Texas, [50:14] recognized for unanimous consent. [50:16] Yes. [50:17] First one is Russia's ghostwriter hacker group [50:19] takes aim at German election. [50:22] This is from Politico. [50:23] Objection. [50:24] The next one is Director of National Intelligence, [50:29] 30 days until election 2024, which specifically states [50:34] that our assessments about activities and goals [50:37] of Russia, Iran, and China are unchanged [50:39] from earlier election security updates [50:43] and that they were meddling. [50:45] Objection. [50:46] And I've got three more. [50:48] The last three are that how Russia is using [50:53] artificial intelligence to interfere in elections. [50:56] Moscow's attempts to interfere in U.S. [50:58] and other elections are nothing new, though their tactics [51:01] and strategy are constantly evolving. [51:05] Objection. [51:06] The next one is Russian interference coming soon [51:09] to an election near you. [51:10] Russia pursues a systemic strategy of undermining [51:13] elections and influencing public opinion in the West, [51:17] E.U., and NATO countries must recognize that Moscow often acts [51:21] through agents within their own borders and build resilience [51:25] to such interference. [51:27] And what's the source? [51:28] This one is CarnegieEndowment.org. [51:31] Okay, without objection. [51:33] Thank you. [51:35] E. General Lea from North Carolina is recognized. [51:37] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Director Patel, [51:40] I'm glad to be here. [51:40] I'm glad that I'm going a little out of order here [51:42] because I'm going to pursue some of the things [51:45] that you were just talking to Mr. Fry about [51:48] and remind you about your confirmation hearing. [51:52] At your confirmation hearing in January, you said under oath, [51:57] and I quote, there will be no politicization at the FBI. [52:02] There will be no retributive actions taken [52:09] by the FBI should I be confirmed. [52:11] And in your written response to the Senate questionnaire, [52:15] you said, I quote, personnel decisions shall be based [52:19] on performance and adherence to the law. [52:22] And every FBI employee will be held [52:26] to the absolute same standard, [52:28] and no one will be terminated for case assignments. [52:33] So I want to just go through a couple of scenarios with you [52:36] to get a sense of whether you think these are examples [52:40] of politicization of the FBI. [52:41] So I want to just go through a couple of scenarios with you [52:43] to get a sense of whether you think these are examples [52:45] of politicization of the FBI or making decisions based [52:48] on the performance and adherence to the law. [52:50] So first question, would hiring FBI agents, analysts, [52:52] and supervisors from only one political party being [52:57] politicization of the FBI or making personnel decisions based [53:02] on performance and adherence to the law? [53:06] We don't ask FBI people, applicants, [53:08] where their political parties are. [53:11] Mr. Patel, do you ask FBI, [53:13] applicants who they voted for? [53:17] The FBI does not. [53:20] Are you aware that in the lawsuit [53:23] that Mr. Driscoll filed against you and the FBI, [53:28] he was asked who he voted for? [53:30] Since that lawsuit has been filed [53:32] that's on law and litigation, I'm not able to comment. [53:34] Well, but it also means that you just said [53:39] that what happened in his situation didn't happen. [53:43] So we will go [53:44] on to the next question. [53:50] Let me ask you an even easier one. [53:54] Does firing agents for working on the cases [53:57] that they were assigned to and that the president didn't like, [54:02] is that politicization of the FBI [54:05] or making personnel decisions based on performance [54:08] and adherence to the law? [54:10] The FBI doesn't terminate anyone based [54:11] on case assignments alone. [54:13] Has the FBI ever been sued by somebody who felt [54:18] that they were terminated based [54:19] on case assignments? [54:21] In the entire history of the FBI, I'm sure they have. [54:23] No, since your tenure. [54:25] I'm sure there's ongoing litigation. [54:28] Yes. In fact, there is ongoing litigation. [54:32] And in fact, people have been asked who they voted for. [54:37] And in fact, you are running an FBI for the president [54:42] of the United States rather than the people [54:45] of the United States, [54:46] because my questions were not hypotheticals. [54:50] They were not hypotheticals. [54:50] They are the things you have done during your tenure. [54:53] And according to a lawsuit filed last week [54:56] by long-term FBI agents, [54:58] you fired former acting director Brian Driscoll. [55:02] He had served with the Bureau for nearly 20 years, [55:05] earned a Medal of Honor, Medal of Valor for bravery [55:09] during the dangerous ISIS raid and had a wealth [55:12] of crisis response experience [55:15] and led the FBI's critical incident response group. [55:19] When the Trump administration [55:20] interviewed Mr. Driscoll for that role, [55:23] they interrogated him about his political leanings [55:27] and who he voted for in the last five elections, [55:30] questions Mr. Driscoll refused to answer, [55:34] because those types of questions [55:36] impermissibly politicized the FBI. [55:39] You also fired Steve Jensen, who served the FBI [55:44] for nearly two decades and ran critical terrorism, [55:47] counterintelligence, and organized crime operations. [55:51] Whom you once described as embodying [55:55] what the American public demands of the FBI. [55:58] But he was fired because he took part [56:01] in investigating crimes committed on January 6th. [56:05] And Trump's MAGA base lambasted you online [56:08] for keeping him at the FBI. [56:10] So he's no longer at the FBI. [56:13] You also fired a decorated combat veteran [56:16] with decades of experience in the Bureau, [56:18] Special Agent Walter Giardia. [56:21] Because he worked on the investigation [56:25] into the Russian interference [56:26] in the 2016 presidential election [56:29] and helped investigate Trump's ally, Peter Navarro. [56:33] Director Patel, it is very clear [56:36] that you have flunked your own test. [56:39] You've put saving your job, [56:41] which I actually believe you were being honest about [56:43] during your confirmation hearings, [56:46] over doing what's right for the FBI and the American people. [56:50] That is not adherence to the law. [56:53] Thank you, and I yield back. [56:57] The time of the gentlelady is expired. [56:59] The chair now recognizes the gentleman for North Carolina. [57:02] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [57:03] Director Patel, it's great to have this opportunity. [57:06] Thank you for being here. [57:07] Thank you for your service. [57:08] And I've got to say, one of the most disheartening components [57:11] of the previous administration, [57:13] when I was working with local law enforcement [57:16] all over the state of North Carolina, [57:17] all over the country, [57:19] people rightfully did not really care about the inner work. [57:22] It's important for this FBI to be transparent [57:24] without jeopardizing our investigations. [57:26] That's one of the timelines important. [57:28] Charlie Kirk was unfortunately assassinated on September 10th. [57:31] We immediately, the next day, released images [57:33] early in the day in local time in Utah [57:35] to start the public partnership in our manhunt [57:38] for the assassin and culprits. [57:40] At approximately 5 p.m. local time, [57:42] I arrived on the ground and walked the crime scene myself, [57:45] and we flew multiple FBI assets in and out [57:48] to process DNA simultaneously [57:50] while bringing in evidence response technicians, [57:53] hostage rescue teams, and other experts [57:54] to assist state and local law enforcement [57:56] in the investigation. [57:57] At 8 p.m. local on September 11th, [57:59] the FBI collected and populated and promulgated [58:02] at a press conference a video of the suspect on the grounds. [58:06] We also released enhanced images. [58:09] Due to that release that I directed and ordered, [58:11] the suspect involved was apprehended and in custody [58:15] at 10 p.m. local time. [58:17] That's less than two hours after we did the video release [58:19] and the photo release. [58:20] So within 33 hours, that individual suspect was in custody, [58:24] and his family, who has since been interrogated, [58:26] specifically stated to FBI interrogators [58:30] that because of the video that the FBI released [58:32] at my direction and because of the photographs [58:34] that they released, they identified their son, [58:36] they confronted their son when he swung by their home, [58:38] and that's what led to his apprehension. [58:41] We are still, the FBI has that investigation ongoing, [58:45] and it continues to be ongoing, [58:46] and I want to thank the state of Utah [58:48] and the state and local authorities there, [58:50] and I also want to thank the Attorney General [58:51] and President Trump for directing resources [58:54] to allow us to conduct that investigation as we have. [58:56] Under this administration, the FBI has arrested [59:00] more than 23,000 violent criminals, [59:03] 23,000 in seven months. [59:05] That's twice as many year-to-date last year. [59:08] We've taken over 6,000 firearms off the streets. [59:11] 6,000 guns are no longer in the hands [59:13] of criminals in seven months. [59:15] We've identified and found and located 4,700 child victims. [59:21] That is a 35% increase year-to-date last year. [59:25] We have arrested 1,500 child victims [59:27] and 4,000 child predators. [59:29] That is a 10% increase year-to-date last year [59:32] in just seven months. [59:34] We've assisted our partners [59:35] with countless counterterrorism operations around the world. [59:39] We've captured at the FBI four of the most top 10 [59:42] wanted fugitives in the world in seven months. [59:46] To put that in perspective, [59:47] that's as many as my predecessor nabbed [59:49] in the entirety of the Biden administration. [59:51] We got four, we got more coming. [59:53] On top of that, in two weeks, thanks to the help of the CIA, [59:56] we collected and captured, [59:57] one of the individuals responsible [59:59] for the horrific Abbey Gate bombing [1:00:00] that led to the murder of 13 service members. [1:00:03] We did that in two weeks. [1:00:05] They didn't do it in the four years [1:00:06] of the entire prior administration. [1:00:09] Nationwide, we've been executing our Operation Summer Heap, [1:00:13] the FBI's national focus on targeting violent crime [1:00:17] based on intelligence-driven operations. [1:00:19] Ask the citizens of Seattle, Miami, Memphis, [1:00:21] Charlotte, Chicago, New Orleans, [1:00:24] to specifically highlight New Orleans and Nashville. [1:00:26] There has been [1:00:28] a 150% increase in violent crime arrests [1:00:32] in those cities alone and other mid-major cities [1:00:34] that I've just listed. [1:00:36] In just a few short months, [1:00:37] we have already unleashed 1,000 FBI personnel [1:00:41] across this country. [1:00:43] Every single state across this country is getting a plus-up. [1:00:46] This is a fiction that the FBI is short [1:00:49] or that we are compromising the men and women in the field. [1:00:52] They do not need to be in Washington, D.C., [1:00:54] so we're sending them into the field [1:00:55] to each and every one of your states. [1:00:57] Because of that, crime is at an all-time low. [1:01:01] We had to do it because of the explosion of crime. [1:01:04] And maybe the most important stat for Americans to realize [1:01:08] in just seven months, [1:01:10] we are on track to produce the lowest murder rate [1:01:13] in modern U.S. history by double digits. [1:01:17] Those are results not of mine. [1:01:19] Those are results of the men and women of the FBI. [1:01:21] If you want to criticize me, bring it on, [1:01:23] but do not attack the brave leaders in the field. [1:01:26] We are also working 24-7, 365, and on the opioid epidemic [1:01:30] that is killing more than hundreds of thousands [1:01:32] of people a year. [1:01:34] We have seized 1,600 kilograms of fentanyl off the streets [1:01:37] so far in seven months. [1:01:39] Year-to-date, 25% increase. [1:01:41] To put that in perspective, that's enough to kill [1:01:43] a third of the American population, [1:01:45] 120 million Americans. [1:01:47] 100,000 kilograms of cocaine and meth gone off the streets. [1:01:51] Earlier this year, I highlighted in Cincinnati, Ohio, [1:01:54] how we're getting creative to chase down those that were willing [1:01:56] to do harm to our citizens, [1:01:58] not just by striking at the heart of the fentanyl producers, [1:02:02] but the fentanyl precursor companies in China. [1:02:04] And we indicted, for the first time, [1:02:06] multiple companies and individuals, [1:02:08] not just in America, but in mainland China, [1:02:10] that are producing the ingredients that produce [1:02:12] and make fentanyl that kill our children. [1:02:14] And we are going to keep going. [1:02:17] Counterterrorism work, cyberattacks, [1:02:19] and foreign adversaries are something the FBI [1:02:20] must never sleep on, and we are not sleeping. [1:02:22] In the counterintelligence space alone, [1:02:24] this year, year-to-date, 30% increase [1:02:27] in counterintelligence arrests from the DPRK, [1:02:30] Russia, Iran, and China. [1:02:32] And I want the American people to know, [1:02:34] in this setting, there's a lot of work [1:02:35] that the brave men and women in the FBI are doing [1:02:37] we just can't get into, but they don't stop. [1:02:39] Our cyberthreats, ransomware attacks, [1:02:41] those harming our children are online. [1:02:43] We have nearly a 20% increase in indictments and arrests [1:02:46] in seven months alone this year. [1:02:49] We're going after those that harm our malware, [1:02:51] infrastructure systems, telecom systems, [1:02:53] and energy structure. [1:02:54] Combating salt and vault typhoons [1:02:56] are just a little bit [1:02:57] of what we're doing. [1:02:58] Maybe most importantly, under the counterterrorism [1:03:00] and domestic terrorism umbrella, [1:03:02] are nihilists, violent extremists, [1:03:04] and those that label themselves 764, [1:03:07] who wish to go online and convince children [1:03:11] to maim and mutilate themselves and commit suicide. [1:03:14] And we are producing record numbers of arrests [1:03:17] under that umbrella organization. [1:03:19] We even stopped an individual in the 764 network [1:03:22] who wanted to conspire to kill an adolescent girl. [1:03:25] He is now in custody. [1:03:27] Transparency remains one of my main priorities at the FBI. [1:03:31] And this is what I've done in my seven months at the helm. [1:03:33] We've produced more than 33,000 pages of documents [1:03:36] to Congress to a variety of committees, [1:03:39] including, I believe, 7,500 to this committee alone, [1:03:43] if memory serves me correct. [1:03:45] To put the 33,000 in perspective, [1:03:48] my predecessor in seven years produced 13,000 pages [1:03:51] in total to the United States Congress. [1:03:53] His predecessor in four years produced 3,000 pages in total. [1:03:57] I repeat, I have produced 33,000 pages in seven years [1:04:00] to this Congress and will continue to do so. [1:04:03] I'm dedicated to restoring the trust and the mission [1:04:05] and the integrity of the FBI, [1:04:07] and we cannot do so without congressional oversight. [1:04:09] And I promise you, I will continue to do so. [1:04:12] On the Epstein case, the original sin on the Epstein case [1:04:17] was how it was handled by Mr. Acosta [1:04:19] when he first brought the case in 2006, seven and eight. [1:04:22] The original case had a very limited search warrant, [1:04:25] had a very limited search window, [1:04:28] I was not there when those search warrants [1:04:30] and that investigation was launched. [1:04:31] I would not have done it that way. [1:04:33] They were limited to only three to four years [1:04:34] of investigations from 97 to approximately 2001 [1:04:38] and 2002 to 2005. [1:04:39] Mr. Acosta allowed Mr. Epstein to enter [1:04:42] into a plea agreement where he served weekend jails [1:04:45] for trafficking minor women. [1:04:47] He also was allowed to relieve jail [1:04:50] to go home on the weekends. [1:04:51] Plus, he allowed a non-prosecution agreement [1:04:55] to be signed as part of that plea deal, [1:04:57] prohibiting future investigations [1:04:59] from that prosecution and from that evidence [1:05:02] and prohibiting the collection of further material. [1:05:05] That is the original sin. [1:05:06] We are working with Congress to produce [1:05:08] more than any administration ever has material on Epstein. [1:05:11] And I welcome the challenge to tell us [1:05:12] that we are not being as transparent as the law allows. [1:05:15] We even went to court and asked the judges [1:05:16] to lift those prosecutorial agreements [1:05:19] and to lift those court order seals [1:05:20] and they denied us three times. [1:05:22] Congress is welcome to do the same and join the fight. [1:05:26] And I'd lastly like to focus on operation [1:05:28] that the president led in D.C. [1:05:30] Because of this, we are taking this fight in D.C. [1:05:33] to every single city across the country. [1:05:35] 2,100 arrests in the last month alone. [1:05:37] D.C. has seen a 60% decrease in gun crimes, [1:05:40] 75% decrease in carjackings, [1:05:43] and 53% decrease in homicides in our nation's capital. [1:05:47] And rightly so. [1:05:48] We're bringing that fight to the streets of America. [1:05:50] I want to thank you for your support [1:05:52] and I'm proud to be the director that leads this FBI [1:05:55] into a new headquarters building [1:05:57] that they've needed for decades, [1:05:58] saving the taxpayer three and a half billion dollars. [1:06:00] And also providing our workforce a safe environment. [1:06:03] If you don't know the calamity that is the Hoover Building, [1:06:06] I invite each and every one of you to walk around. [1:06:08] I'll give you a tour myself. [1:06:09] And you can see where the cement falls [1:06:10] on the heads of our employees [1:06:12] that is only to be saved by netting. [1:06:14] Just to give you an example. [1:06:15] Thank you for support to our mission. [1:06:17] And I do want to highlight one thing about D.C. [1:06:21] It's because the FBI gathered sources and evidence [1:06:25] that we were able to, through our source network, [1:06:27] identify the horrific murder [1:06:28] of the D.C. intern, Eric Tarpinian. [1:06:30] And I've spoken to his family. [1:06:32] And, you know, we are working to bring them justice. [1:06:35] And, Mr. Chairman, in my 16 years, [1:06:37] now my 17 years of government service, [1:06:39] if anyone has any questions about my service, bring it on. [1:06:42] Yeah. Thank you, Director. [1:06:43] We will now proceed into the five-minute rule. [1:06:45] The chair recognizes the gentleman [1:06:46] from California, Mr. Eisen. [1:06:47] Director, delighted to have you here. [1:06:51] You are a breath of fresh air. [1:06:53] As you outlined, and I won't repeat it, [1:06:57] the accomplishments, you did so with the same resources [1:07:01] as your predecessor, roughly. [1:07:02] Is that correct? [1:07:03] I believe so, yes. [1:07:04] And so how much of that has to do with taking people [1:07:09] out of the backside of the FBI and moving them into the field, [1:07:13] into doing the job for which we primarily pay the FBI? [1:07:17] That's exactly what we needed done. [1:07:18] One-third of the FBI's workforce resided [1:07:21] in the National Capital Region before I got there. [1:07:23] One-third of the crimes do not happen in Washington, D.C. [1:07:25] Not anymore. [1:07:26] Not anymore. [1:07:27] So 1,000 personnel of the FBI were deployed [1:07:29] across this country on a permanent basis. [1:07:32] And every single state in this union is getting a plus [1:07:34] up, not a reduction, a plus up, of 1811s, [1:07:37] of intel analysts and support staff. [1:07:39] And that is why the crime rates are going down in record numbers. [1:07:43] Thank you for doing that. [1:07:44] And it's perhaps the hardest thing for a bureaucrat to do [1:07:48] is to lower the headcount around them that support them. [1:07:51] And I appreciate your willingness to do it different [1:07:54] than your predecessor. [1:07:57] A lot of what you covered earlier [1:07:59] was the find, the discovery, and then the prosecution [1:08:04] that is done by the DOJ. [1:08:05] But I want to talk a little bit about the prevent side. [1:08:09] On the Charlie assassination, sir? [1:08:11] No, no. [1:08:12] No, on all of these. [1:08:14] OK. [1:08:14] For example, and I'll bring it up before the Democrats bring [1:08:17] it up, January 6. [1:08:19] January 6, we now know, because of your find, [1:08:23] that in fact there were people involved who were not just [1:08:27] observers but participants who, in fact, it's been alleged, [1:08:32] and I personally believe, in fact were part of promoting, [1:08:36] perhaps even the one woman who died, [1:08:39] encouraging her to walk through a door that led to her death. [1:08:43] When you see that kind of activity, [1:08:46] and you know it was done under predecessors [1:08:48] with full knowledge, whether it's January 6, [1:08:53] where embedded people crossed the line, [1:08:55] or any other activity, including obviously the Russian hoax [1:09:00] that we're now dealing with up front and center, [1:09:04] my question to you is, what can you, [1:09:06] or others do to prevent it from occurring again? [1:09:09] Not on your watch, but on future watches. [1:09:12] How can we know that this won't happen again the moment [1:09:15] you leave the FBI? [1:09:17] It's simple. [1:09:17] What I'm doing through our leadership cadre [1:09:19] is having FBI agents do what they were trained to do, [1:09:23] not what they were not trained to do, [1:09:25] not put them in situations that both harm them and the public. [1:09:28] We're also utilizing our sort networks [1:09:30] and prioritizing the threat structure [1:09:32] to go after the narco traffickers, the counterterrorism [1:09:34] people, the counterintelligence threats, and the cyber threats. [1:09:36] That's what they were trained to do, [1:09:38] and that's what we're letting them do. [1:09:40] One major question I have. [1:09:43] After decades of doing this, each on our side of it, [1:09:47] both the chairman, myself, and others, [1:09:49] both at oversight and here, have seen that the FBI [1:09:54] and the Department of Justice [1:09:55] hide behind non-statutory practices. [1:09:59] Now, you've changed the interpretation [1:10:02] of many of those practices. [1:10:03] That's why we're getting the discovery [1:10:04] that was previously withheld. [1:10:07] How do we work together to make sure [1:10:09] that we never again have false walls, [1:10:12] non-statutory walls that say the Department of Justice [1:10:15] has a prohibition about giving, quote, [1:10:19] you fill in the blank, that has led to the chairman [1:10:22] not seeing anything until you took over? [1:10:24] I'm wedded to aggressive constitutional oversight. [1:10:27] Having been a House congressional staffer, [1:10:28] I know that is an important part of securing our democracy. [1:10:32] And the way we make it an everlasting, enduring process [1:10:34] is by showing the American people the results [1:10:37] of what we are doing and the important work [1:10:38] of this committee and putting it out to them [1:10:40] so they can see government waste, fraud, and abuse. [1:10:42] And then they can demand from our constituents [1:10:44] and our electors that they want this process to continue. [1:10:49] Last major question here. [1:10:51] Some things are so sensitive that we both would agree [1:10:55] they cannot be made public. [1:10:57] Will you commit to this committee [1:10:59] when it is too sensitive to disclose [1:11:02] that you would at least make it available for in-camera review [1:11:06] by the chairman and ranking members or others [1:11:08] designated? [1:11:09] I have done that, and I will continue to do that. [1:11:12] Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. [1:11:13] This is a breath of fresh air. [1:11:16] This is the beginning of what we need. [1:11:18] But my questions today for the director [1:11:22] are ones in which I believe that we do [1:11:24] need to codify by agreement or by statute, if necessary, [1:11:29] the kind of openness and transparency [1:11:31] that we're seeing from this administration, [1:11:33] the kind of discovery that's allowing us [1:11:36] to do our oversight properly. [1:11:39] I would hope that that be the follow-up to this, [1:11:43] obviously, along with the attorney general. [1:11:45] And I yield back my four seconds. [1:11:47] Thank you. The gentleman yields back. [1:11:48] The gentleman from New York is recognized. [1:11:50] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [1:11:51] Welcome, Director Patel. [1:11:53] In the wake of the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, [1:11:55] Donald Trump said, quote, [1:11:58] violence and murder are the tragic consequences [1:12:00] of demonizing those with whom you disagree, [1:12:03] day after day, year after year, [1:12:05] in the most hateful and despicable way possible. [1:12:07] Close quote. I would note, for the record, [1:12:09] that Donald Trump has famously demonized [1:12:12] practically every person he has ever disagreed with. [1:12:16] And therefore, using his own logic, [1:12:17] he has put their lives at risk. [1:12:19] I should know. [1:12:20] About two weeks ago, when I announced my decision [1:12:24] not to go, when I announced my decision [1:12:27] not to seek reelection, [1:12:28] many people on both sides of the aisle, [1:12:30] including the chairman, offered me well wishes [1:12:32] and thanked me for my service. [1:12:34] Donald Trump, on the other hand, took the true social [1:12:37] to call me a, quote, psychopathic nut job. [1:12:39] Among other things. [1:12:41] Yesterday, I received a threatening note [1:12:43] filled with anti-Semitic comments and hateful attacks [1:12:46] that mimicked some of the same language [1:12:48] used by the president. [1:12:49] I am sure many of us on this committee [1:12:52] face similar threats every day. [1:12:54] We have seen political assaults [1:12:55] on both the left and the right. [1:12:57] The attack on Charlie Kirk, [1:12:59] the attempted assassination of the president, [1:13:01] the murder of the Democratic Speaker [1:13:03] of the Minnesota House, [1:13:04] the assault on Paul Pelosi, [1:13:06] and the attack on the Capitol on January 6th, for example. [1:13:09] Director Patel, [1:13:11] do you agree that there is political violence [1:13:13] from both the left and the right? [1:13:18] There is too much political violence. [1:13:19] Do you agree, yes or no, that there is violence? [1:13:21] There is too much political violence [1:13:22] based on ideologies from either side. [1:13:25] From either side. Okay. [1:13:27] Are you aware of the study by the Cato Institute, [1:13:29] a well-known conservative group, [1:13:31] that found that 69 percent of the violence is from the right? [1:13:34] I'm not familiar with that study. [1:13:35] You're not familiar. Okay. [1:13:37] I would commend it to you. [1:13:39] Are you aware the administration has threatened [1:13:40] to use violence as an excuse to crack down [1:13:43] on liberty and freedom of speech? [1:13:45] Say that again. I'm sorry. [1:13:48] Are you aware the administration has used, [1:13:52] has threatened to use violence as an excuse [1:13:55] to crack down on liberty and freedom of speech? [1:13:58] Nobody at the FBI is doing that. [1:13:59] I didn't ask you about the FBI. [1:14:00] I said the administration. [1:14:01] I speak for the FBI. [1:14:04] I would like to enter into the record an article [1:14:05] from today's New York Times, [1:14:07] titled Trump Invokes Kirk's Killing [1:14:09] and Justifying Measures to Silence Opponents. [1:14:13] In the wake of Charlie Kirk's killing, [1:14:15] President Trump and his allies have laid out [1:14:18] a plan to target liberal groups, [1:14:19] monitor speech, revoke visas, [1:14:21] and designate certain groups as domestic terrorists. [1:14:24] I ask the unanimous consent to insert this into the record. [1:14:27] Thank you. [1:14:29] Politicizing the murder of Charlie King [1:14:30] to go after free speech is not a legacy [1:14:32] I believe Charlie King would have wanted. [1:14:35] Moving on, I want to address another topic. [1:14:38] The FBI has traditionally played a key role [1:14:40] in prosecuting public officials for corruption, [1:14:43] but I fear that at a time when the president [1:14:45] is accepting planes from Qatar [1:14:47] for his post-presidential personal use, [1:14:50] issuing pardons to major donors, [1:14:52] and personally profiting from the office of the presidency, [1:14:55] the FBI may be abandoning its commitment [1:14:57] to investigating public corruption. [1:14:59] Since its creation in the wake of the Watergate scandal, [1:15:02] the Public Integrity Section has been one of the crown jewels [1:15:05] of the Department of Justice, [1:15:06] investigating and prosecuting corruption [1:15:09] among the nation's public officials [1:15:11] and acting as a key safeguard [1:15:12] against politicized prosecutions. [1:15:14] This section's work has been supported [1:15:16] by an elite squad in the FBI devoted specifically [1:15:19] to rooting out corruption. [1:15:20] But according to reports, [1:15:22] the Public Integrity Section has now been decimated, [1:15:25] and the FBI's Public Corruption Squad has been dismantled. [1:15:28] I would like to submit for the record [1:15:31] a New York Times article entitled [1:15:33] FBI Dismantles Elite Public Corruption Squad. [1:15:37] I ask the unanimous consent. Thank you. [1:15:40] These actions are an invitation to corrupt politicians [1:15:44] to break the law since they know [1:15:46] that the government is asleep at the switch. [1:15:48] Last month, Senator Warren and I, [1:15:50] along with dozens of other members of Congress, [1:15:52] wrote to you and Attorney General Bondi [1:15:54] expressing grave concern over your decision [1:15:56] to effectively legalize corruption [1:15:59] and politicize prosecutorial decisions. [1:16:02] And he asked the unanimous consent [1:16:04] to enter this letter into the record. [1:16:08] Thank you. [1:16:08] I don't have time today to walk through all your questions, [1:16:11] all of our questions and concerns, [1:16:13] but will you commit to answering this letter in short order [1:16:17] so that we can understand what factors led to this decision [1:16:20] and how it has impacted the ability [1:16:21] to hold corrupt officials accountable? [1:16:23] I will review your letter with my team [1:16:27] and respond as soon as I can. [1:16:28] You will respond. Thank you. [1:16:29] I yield back the balance of my time. [1:16:31] Gentleman yields back. [1:16:32] Gentleman from Arizona is recognized for five minutes. [1:16:34] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, [1:16:35] and thank you, Director, for being here. [1:16:37] I appreciate the change in the FBI [1:16:41] and the tone since you've been there. [1:16:44] We heard the ranking member, however, [1:16:45] describe the FBI under your leadership [1:16:48] as being resorting to political enforcement [1:16:52] and you personally as being paranoid. [1:16:54] I would just suggest that perhaps that is the projections [1:16:58] of the ranking member himself and not you, sir. [1:17:02] I want to refer to something that was said yesterday [1:17:05] in yesterday's hearing by Senator Grassley. [1:17:09] He said it's well understood that your predecessor left you [1:17:12] in FBI infected with politics. [1:17:15] At your nomination hearing, he gave you records, [1:17:19] made public records about whistleblowers [1:17:21] regarding something called Arctic Frost. [1:17:24] Arctic Frost was the FBI case opened [1:17:26] and approved by anti-Trump FBI agent Thiebaud, [1:17:29] and Arctic Frost became Jack Smith's elector case. [1:17:33] The new records show that Arctic Frost was much broader [1:17:35] than just an electoral matter. [1:17:37] In fact, it was expanded to Republican organizations. [1:17:41] Some examples of the groups that the Wray FBI sought to place [1:17:44] under political investigation included [1:17:46] the Republican National Committee, [1:17:49] Republican Attorneys General's Association, [1:17:51] and Trump political groups. [1:17:53] In total, 92 Republican targets, including Republican groups, [1:17:57] Republican-linked individuals, [1:17:59] were placed under the investigative scope [1:18:01] of Arctic Frost. [1:18:03] On that political list for investigation [1:18:07] was one of Charlie Kirk's groups, Turning Point USA. [1:18:10] In other words, Arctic Frost wasn't just a case [1:18:12] to politically investigate Trump. [1:18:14] It was the vehicle by which partisan FBI agents [1:18:17] and DOJ prosecutors could achieve their partisan ends [1:18:20] and then properly investigate [1:18:22] the entire Republican political apparatus. [1:18:23] I'd ask that, Mr. Chairman, [1:18:25] that that document be administered. [1:18:27] Without objection. [1:18:28] So I know that this may be under current investigation, [1:18:32] but I wish to ask specific questions [1:18:35] about this for just a moment. [1:18:36] What search tools were used in Arctic Frost [1:18:39] to view private communications of targets? [1:18:44] I believe the traditional search tools, [1:18:46] search warrants, lawful service of process, [1:18:48] and the tools that the FBI has in our infrastructure systems, [1:18:53] cybersecurity systems, and counterintelligence systems. [1:18:56] But generally speaking, if I may, [1:18:57] I want to use this to highlight the fact [1:18:59] that I'm continuing my promise to work with Congress [1:19:03] to produce documents simultaneously [1:19:05] and also conduct ongoing investigations. [1:19:08] I'm giving you as much as I can, [1:19:09] and I'll give you more when I can. [1:19:11] Thank you. [1:19:12] Another question regarding that is, [1:19:14] were there any directives from the Biden White House [1:19:16] concerning the Arctic Frost investigation? [1:19:19] Were there any, sorry? [1:19:20] Directives or communications [1:19:22] from the Biden White House itself [1:19:25] concerning the Arctic Frost investigation? [1:19:28] I'll just rely on what was turned over to date, sir. [1:19:30] Okay. [1:19:31] So I want to add here, [1:19:35] the search warrants that were used [1:19:37] included the seizing of a U.S. member of Congress, his phone. [1:19:40] I think we all know who that was [1:19:42] and how that was taken away and used for political purposes, [1:19:46] Mr. Chairman, Mr. Director. [1:19:48] So we'll leave that for a second, [1:19:50] and let's go over to the Charlie Kirk case for just a second. [1:19:56] Let's emphasize this. [1:19:58] How many hours did it take [1:20:01] from the assassination to the arrest of the assassin, [1:20:04] Mr. Director? [1:20:06] 33. [1:20:08] That seems pretty swift, [1:20:10] and it was because of the actual release of videos [1:20:15] and photographs that you directed to be released, sir. [1:20:19] That's correct, and to put it in perspective, [1:20:21] the Boston bomber took five days [1:20:22] and Luigi Mangione took five days. [1:20:26] Was the platform discord forthright from the start [1:20:29] with law enforcement about the shooter's communications [1:20:31] on its platform? [1:20:32] Discord? [1:20:34] Discord. [1:20:35] Is that right? [1:20:36] It seems that the platform ownership [1:20:37] has been working with our lawful process, [1:20:40] and we are obtaining materials from them on a rolling basis. [1:20:45] And I want to get back here to Artic Frost [1:20:49] for just a second, Mr. Chairman. [1:20:50] I'd like the unclassified document [1:20:52] from the FBI released to be admitted to the record. [1:20:55] Objection. [1:20:57] And a document from the Economic Times [1:20:59] also to be admitted to the record. [1:21:00] Objection. [1:21:01] So I'm going to give you the last 30 seconds. [1:21:04] We could go on. [1:21:05] About the Epstein case. [1:21:06] But I'm just going to let you, if you wish to respond to either of the two vitriolic questioning or statement from the Democrats. [1:21:17] The work of the FBI speaks for itself. [1:21:19] It's on showcase here today. [1:21:21] Anyone that wants to attack the FBI can attack me, but leave our leadership structure alone. [1:21:25] When you have 23,000 violent felons arrested, twice as many as this time last year, the work speaks for itself. [1:21:32] Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you. [1:21:33] Appreciate your good work, Director Patel. [1:21:36] You'll be back. [1:21:36] Gentleman yields back. [1:21:38] Gentleman from Maryland is recognized. [1:21:39] Thank you kindly, Mr. Chairman. [1:21:41] Director Patel, before you joined the FBI, you railed against it for covering up Jeffrey Epstein's human trafficking ring. [1:21:47] Let me refresh your memory with this clip. [1:21:50] It has Epstein's list. [1:21:52] They're sitting on it. [1:21:53] That doesn't seem like something you should do. [1:21:55] You're protecting the world's foremost predator. [1:21:57] That seems like an evil thing to do, regardless of who may be embarrassed in the release of that list. [1:22:01] Why is the FBI protecting the greatest pederast, the largest scale pederast? [1:22:07] Why is the FBI protecting the greatest pederast in human history? [1:22:09] Simple, because of who's on that list. [1:22:11] So you finished that December 2023 interview with a challenge to the FBI and harsh words for Republicans in Congress for not getting the Epstein files out to the public and see this clip boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are, you said you emphasize that the president and FBI director each had complete authority to release Epstein's client list. [1:22:38] You said Epstein's black book. [1:22:39] You said Epstein's black book. [1:22:40] You said Epstein's black book is under the, quote, direct control of the director of the FBI. [1:22:43] Look at this clip. [1:22:45] This is way off the topic, but who has Jeffrey Epstein's black book, black book, FBI, but who that is that I mean, that's under direct control of the director of the FBI. [1:23:00] All right. [1:23:00] So you were sworn in as director more than 200 days ago. [1:23:04] Now the black book is under your direct control. [1:23:06] So why haven't you released the names of Epstein's co-conspirators in the rape and sex trafficking of Yeltsin? [1:23:12] Why haven't you released the names of Epstein's co-conspirators in the rape and sex trafficking of Yeltsin? [1:23:13] Why haven't you released the names of Epstein's co-conspirators in the rape and sex trafficking of Yeltsin? [1:23:15] Why haven't you released the names of Epstein's co-conspirators in the rape and sex trafficking of Yeltsin? [1:23:15] The Rolodex, which is what everybody colloquially refers to as the black book, has been released. [1:23:21] Oh, no, you're talking about what the journalist got five years ago? [1:23:23] No, that's not what we're talking about. [1:23:25] We're talking about what you were talking about there, the black book under the direct control of the FBI director. [1:23:30] We have released more material than anyone else before. [1:23:33] The Biden administration, Obama administration had the exact opportunities to release this material, and they never did. [1:23:38] And if you are selling the men and women of the FBI, we're not going after child predators. [1:23:42] Hang on, you said we're not going after child predators. [1:23:44] 1,500 child predators arrested this year, 35% increase, 4,700 child victims now. [1:23:50] Mr. Chairman, I'm going to reclaim my time if you could instruct the witness. [1:23:53] Why have you changed your position? [1:23:55] There you were saying it's under the direct control of the FBI director and all of it should be released. [1:24:01] Why have you changed your position? [1:24:02] Everything that has been lawfully permitted to be released has been released. [1:24:07] And as I told you. [1:24:08] Really? [1:24:08] The investigation was limited. [1:24:10] And let me make something crystal clear. [1:24:11] I never said Jeffrey Epstein didn't traffic other people, other women, and they're not other victims. [1:24:16] This is the investigation we were given from 2006, 2007, and 2008, and the search warrants from 2006, 2007, and 2008. [1:24:22] That's what we're working with. [1:24:24] Well, wait. [1:24:24] Have you released all of the stuff that the FBI has seized from Epstein's house? [1:24:29] The computers, the emails, the file cabinets, the documents? [1:24:33] What about the financial records? [1:24:34] Have you released all of that? [1:24:35] Everything the court has allowed us to release. [1:24:38] What court are you talking about? [1:24:39] Three separate federal courts have come in and said. [1:24:42] We're talking about the evidence you've got. [1:24:43] It's got nothing to do with what those courts have. [1:24:46] Do you have any idea how the law works? [1:24:48] Wait a minute. [1:24:48] Do you want me to break the law in a federal judge's order to satisfy your curiosity? [1:24:50] No, I want you to follow your own word, Director Patel. [1:24:53] You said up there it was under the direct control of the FBI director. [1:24:57] He had the black book. [1:24:58] And everything I have direct control over, we have gone to court. [1:25:02] You haven't. [1:25:02] Complete your sentence. [1:25:03] Everything you have direct control over, you said. [1:25:05] We have gone to court. [1:25:07] And everything we have direct control over, and can lawfully release, we're releasing. [1:25:13] You'd like to complete his answer. [1:25:16] You began the sentence, everything you have direct control over, I. [1:25:20] And then you stopped that sentence. [1:25:21] You've released everything that you have direct control over? [1:25:23] I have direct control over and can lawfully release. [1:25:27] If you're not familiar with the court orders, that's not my fault. [1:25:30] Oh, I'm perfectly familiar with them. [1:25:32] But how did we prosecute Ghislaine Maxwell? [1:25:36] She was prosecuted with the information. [1:25:38] She was prosecuted by the FBI that day. [1:25:41] She was prosecuted at the time she was shot, and she is a prime suspect. [1:25:44] She was the one that was charged with the most horrible thing to do. [1:25:47] I don't want to get into that. [1:25:48] Okay, all right. [1:25:49] Am I going to be the judge or the prosecutor? [1:25:51] I'm going to give you a little bit more of a talk. [1:25:53] I'm going to give you a little bit more detail. [1:25:54] I'm not going to give you any information. [1:25:56] It's just part of what the court wanted me to do. [1:25:59] I'm going to give you an backstory of what happened. [1:26:02] I'm going to tell you. [1:26:03] I'm going to give you a little bit more of the story. [1:26:04] You've got to know that this is just the beginning. [1:26:06] I'm going to give you a little bit more talk. [1:26:08] I'm going to give you some time to think about this. [1:26:08] the materials has anyone released more information on epstein than i have has anyone much more did [1:26:14] ray much much more excuse me much more has come out in the days since the american people in [1:26:19] congress have been demanding it but it's coming out in dribs and drabs why don't you just release [1:26:23] the entire file as you promised to do i literally just told you there are multiple federal court [1:26:29] orders i'm not going to break the law to satisfy your curiosity you didn't join us when we filed [1:26:35] court to release the court orders you could have you have lawyers you could have shown up you [1:26:40] didn't do that that's a tiny fraction of the material we're talking about it is a tiny fraction [1:26:44] how do you know that have you seen everything it's all misdirected time of the gentleman has expired [1:26:49] the gentleman from california is recognized well thank you mr director just to be clear how many [1:26:54] of the epstein files were released in the four years of the biden administration zero and how [1:26:59] many have you released i don't have the number but it's got to be thousands of pages of stuff [1:27:04] i was going to ask you uh to [1:27:06] to begin uh whether americans are safer today than they were nine months ago but you cited [1:27:12] dramatic increases in criminal arrests since you've taken office a dramatic decrease in [1:27:18] crime that's resulted who would have thought that taking criminals off the streets would reduce the [1:27:23] crime rate but but somehow we have stumbled upon that that new truth but it begs the question what [1:27:29] was the fbi doing during the four years of the biden administration just to to see that dramatic [1:27:36] and to see the extent to which we are suffering uh you know in the years since we've been in the [1:27:36] can increase in work under your tenure? [1:27:40] The simple answer is I'm letting good cops be cops. [1:27:43] We're working with our state and local law enforcement. [1:27:45] We're energizing our partnerships. [1:27:46] We're bringing on more task force officers. [1:27:48] When you have more cops in the streets, [1:27:50] when you're using ground-based intelligence, [1:27:52] when you're not weaponizing law enforcement [1:27:53] and focusing on D.C. and focusing on the rest of America, [1:27:56] this is what happens. [1:27:58] It is not a significant mind shift [1:28:01] in terms of how we maneuver the FBI. [1:28:03] They've wanted to do this work since they signed up. [1:28:05] We're just letting them. [1:28:06] And we've seen many prominent Democrats [1:28:10] oppose your efforts to restore law and order [1:28:12] to the streets of our nation's capital. [1:28:14] I mean, all of us here have seen a dramatic change [1:28:16] for the better here in Washington, D.C. [1:28:19] Why are so many Democrats attacking you for that? [1:28:22] Sir, Democrats have been attacking me for a decade, [1:28:25] as is the fake news media. [1:28:27] They didn't like the fact that I exposed the Russiagase host [1:28:29] in the largest weaponization of the FBI, DOJ, and U.S. history. [1:28:33] We proved it to be true with congressional oversight. [1:28:35] I'm wed to that congressional oversight. [1:28:36] And we'll continue to do that work. [1:28:39] Christopher Wray repeatedly warned this committee [1:28:42] that the Biden open borders policy [1:28:44] had produced a significant increase in terrorist threats [1:28:47] that he said kept him up at night. [1:28:50] A particular concern, he said, was the 2 million gotaways [1:28:53] that entered the country during the Biden administration. [1:28:55] That's an average of 41,000 every month. [1:29:00] What are the monthly gotaway numbers today? [1:29:03] Sir, I'll have to get back to you on the exact gotaway numbers, [1:29:05] but identifying that [1:29:07] gotaways is step one, going and manhunting them is step two. [1:29:10] And that's what we're committing our resources to do. [1:29:12] That's my next question, is what progress has the administration [1:29:15] made in apprehending and removing terrorist threats [1:29:18] that came in during the Biden years? [1:29:19] I think you're talking about, if you're not, let me know, [1:29:21] known or suspected terrorists. [1:29:22] And we've encountered almost zero at the southern border [1:29:26] since the southern border has been sealed. [1:29:28] But the problem that we are running into [1:29:29] is our northern border. [1:29:30] It's largely expansive. [1:29:31] The enemy has adapted. [1:29:33] And we need more focus on the northern border [1:29:35] to stop known or suspected terrorists from coming out. [1:29:37] And we need more focus on the northern border [1:29:38] to stop known or suspected terrorists from coming in [1:29:39] from places like China, Russia, the Middle East, [1:29:40] Africa, Afghanistan. [1:29:41] And what can you tell us about the remaining threat posed [1:29:42] by potential terrorist cells here in the United States? [1:29:43] The terrorist threat that continues to be posed [1:29:44] by international terrorists here in the United States [1:29:45] is one of my highest priorities. [1:29:46] We are working through our intelligence community partners [1:29:47] to identify those individuals. [1:29:48] And we've taken down numerous individuals [1:29:49] and numerous rings across this country [1:29:50] to neutralize that terrorist threat, [1:29:51] including in places like New York City, Los Angeles, [1:29:52] New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:53] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:54] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:55] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:56] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:57] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:58] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:29:59] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:00] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:01] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:02] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:03] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:04] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:05] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:06] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:07] New York City, New York City, New York City, New York City, [1:30:08] I believe Dallas, Texas, most recently. [1:30:09] How extensively did criminal cartels like Sinaloa, Jalisco, New Generation, MS-13, [1:30:15] Tarantino, and others infiltrate our country during the Biden administration?