Amna Nawaz
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WATCH: Don't 'burn down' the FBI but lift it up, Sen. Kennedy tells Patel
Posted
January 30, 2025
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January 30, 2025
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Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., questioned Kash Patel on Thursday in his confirmation hearing for FBI director.
In his second round of questioning, Kennedy said that there is an appearance in modern times that the FBI has been politicized, citing investigations by former FBI Director James Comey and others.
"You understand the perception. It's got to end now. The seal has been broken. We've got to stop it now," Kennedy said. "Don't go over there and burn down that agency. You go over there and lift it up. Clean it out, but lift it up in accordance with due process and the rule of law."
Patel appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
A loyal Trump supporter, Patel is a former public defender turned Justice Department prosecutor. He served in Trump’s first term as chief of staff to acting defense secretary Christopher Miller. In interviews, he has said he wants to reduce the size of the national intelligence community, and shut down the FBI’s headquarters in Washington. He’s also repeated the false narrative that Trump won the 2020 election.
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