Kash Patel testified before the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday regarding the fiscal year 2026 budget. In prepared remarks, Patel said,
“The FBI takes its responsibility of fiscal stewardship seriously and is looking at all available options to optimize existing resources and deliver more efficiently. Over the past two months, we have commenced the process to reallocate hundreds of positions from the National Capital Region out to field offices across the country to enhance investigative capacity and provide better support to Federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.”
During the hearing, Rep. Madeline Dean (D-PA) used her time to slander Patel and portray herself as a possible future victim of FBI persecution. She started by bragging about her role in Trump’s second impeachment following the J6 protests.
Dean:
“I was an impeachment manager for Trump’s second impeachment. It was a sad, solemn duty, and so I wanted to ask you about that.”
“Mr. Patel, as you and the president continue to weaponize and investigate his perceived enemies…When can I, a former impeachment manager, expect the FBI at my door?”
Patel wasn’t about to take up the bait. Instead, Patel fired back.
“Ma’am, you want to know who was targeted by a weaponized FBI? Me. You want to know how and why? You want to know what I’m doing to fix?”
Dean, realizing that she had stepped into a minefield, shifted gears and interrupted Patel’s answer. Dean tried to collar Patel by bringing up Patel’s book, Government Gangsters. According to Dean, the book is about targeting political enemies. Patel quickly corrected Dean.
“You should read that book because there’s no enemies’ list in the book. There are people who violated their constitutional obligations and their duties to the American people. And they were called out, and you should give that book to every one of your constituents.”
💥🔥Kash Patel to former Trump impeachment manager Dem Rep. Madeleine Dean:
“You want to know who was targeted by a weaponized FBI? Me!… We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury. Tell the American people how I broke the law and… pic.twitter.com/YlxaBBbEdR
— Melissa Hallman (@dotconnectinga) May 7, 2025
Several protesters did die on January 6th. At least two were the result of police actions. Ashlii Babbitt was shot and killed. Rosanne Boyland appears to have been beaten to death by an officer. However, no police officer was killed on January 6th. Dean’s statement is an out-and-out lie. Brian Sicknick did suffer a stroke after his tour of duty and later died. Dean’s statement is just another example of how desperate the Democrats are that they would continue to spout lies like this.
Dean switched gears again and tried to paint a canvas that she had information from whistleblowers that Patel had committed perjury. This looks a lot like the Adam Schiff ploy where one makes a statement from “confidential” sources in order to smear the person in front of them.
Patel’s response to Dean’s vile smear was one for the ages.
“We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury.
“Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony. Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit.”
Dean makes a statement that FBI agents should be free from the fear of being investigated. That was the problem during the first term of PDJT. Agents knew they would not be held accountable for whatever actions they took so long as such actions supported the coup against PDJT.
Democrats have lectured us forever that nobody is above the law. That should apply to FBI agents as well.
On Thursday, Patel testified in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Another low IQ congress critter decided to take him on. Patel was up to the challenge.
🚨 Kash Patel just WRECKED Patty Murray
KASH: “I think the common theme is you putting words in my mouth, and I’m not going to tolerate it.”
“If you wanna talk about someone who was attacked by a weaponized bureau, you’re looking at him. And now he’s the Director of the FBI”… pic.twitter.com/YX031HzTIF
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 8, 2025
PATEL: You asked me if I was weaponizing the FBI, and I am not. I am giving you the hard, concrete examples of putting handcuffs on bad people doing harm to our children and innocent Americans.
MURRAY: But you have placed on leave FBI employees responsible for the investigation of January 6th. That sounds political to me.
PATEL: I have not placed anyone on leave who has not violated their ethical obligation or their oath to the country.
MURRAY: So, if they were investigating January 6th, do you believe they were violating an ethical obligation?
PATEL: Nope! I think the common theme is you putting words in my mouth, and I’m not going to tolerate it. Nor will the men and women of the FBI.
MURRAY: Well, you did place on leave an analyst responsible for investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. Is that politicization? Is that retribution?
PATEL: No, not if she broke the law or the ethical guidelines. I don’t know what case you’re talking about but that’s the standard. And we WILL hold ourselves inwardly accountable, and we will not be strayed from our mission because people believe we are weaponizing and politicizing the bureau.
If you wanna talk about someone who was attacked by a weaponized bureau, you’re looking at him. And now he’s the Director of the FBI. And he’s cleaning it up.
I am beginning to like Kash Patel more and more. Hopefully he can right the ship over there at the FBI.