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Durbin Slams Patel Over FBI Jan. 6 Claims at Hearing

By Drooid · Sep 17, 2026, 3:20 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Democrats Criticize Patel

Senate Democrats criticized FBI Director Kash Patel during a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.
Ranking member Sen. Dick Durbin called Patel the least qualified and most partisan FBI director.
Durbin said Patel falsely claimed the FBI planned the Jan 6 attack and diverted resources to debunked conspiracies.
Patel rebuked Democrats as “buffoons on Capitol Hill” on Fox News and said subpoenas target leakers, not reporters.

Summary

Patel Defends FBI Policy

Patel told senators Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will station agents at Michigan polls for elections.
He said election-crimes community coordinators in 56 field offices will provide poll presence mechanism.
The FBI lifted ban on applicants with prostitution or bestiality histories, moving to review.
Patel argued the change protects trafficking or coercion victims from automatic disqualification.
Sen. John Kennedy pressed Patel on why recommendation reached him, questioning its origin.

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Democrats Criticize Patel

Senate Democrats criticized FBI Director Kash Patel during a Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.
Ranking member Sen. Dick Durbin called Patel the least qualified and most partisan FBI director.
Durbin said Patel falsely claimed the FBI planned the Jan 6 attack and diverted resources to debunked conspiracies.
Patel rebuked Democrats as “buffoons on Capitol Hill” on Fox News and said subpoenas target leakers, not reporters.

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