In response to Kash Patel’s flailing confirmation hearing today, DNC Rapid Response Director Alex Floyd released the following statement:

“Kash Patel’s disastrous hearing was just the latest demonstration that he will put loyalty to Donald Trump over our nation’s safety and security. After giving cover to Trump’s lies about our democracy and his dangerous pardons for violent insurrectionists, Patel failed to answer every time he was asked about his plans to carry out Trump’s agenda of revenge and retribution – and made it clear why he is completely unfit to lead the FBI.”

Does Patel stand by his promise to shut down the FBI headquarters and have plans to replace career agents with Trump’s political appointees? 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: “Did you say that the FBI headquarters should be shut down and reopened as a museum of the deep state?”

…

Patel: *Filibusters while Republican senators shout to end questioning* 

Sen. Klobuchar: “Mr. Chairman, I am quoting his own words from September of 2024. It is his own words. It is not some conspiracy. It is what Mr. Patel actually said himself. Facts matter.”

Sen. Cory Booker: “You have an assignment from Donald Trump to gut the FBI … do you agree that you have already prepared plans to remove certain individuals from their offices — for example, individuals that will be replaced by political personnel?” 

…

Patel: “We can move on.” 

Will Patel keep covering for Trump’s pardons for violent insurrectionists – and does he think these dangerous pardons make America safer? 

Sen. Dick Durbin: “Do you think America is safer because President Trump issued these pardons to 1,600 of these criminal defendants, many of whom violently assaulted our police in the Capitol?” 

Patel: *Doesn’t answer*

Does Patel still intend to use the FBI to go after the media on behalf of Trump? 

Sen. Klobuchar: “Have you referred to the media as the most powerful enemy of the United States that they have ever seen, is that right?”

Patel: *Doesn’t answer* 

…

Sen. Klochuar: “You also said you would put the entire fake news mafia press corps on your list. Is that correct? Is that what you said?” 

Patel: *Doesn’t answer* 

Why does Patel still refuse to admit that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, while believing Trump has “every right” to falsely claim elections are rigged? 

Sen. Mazie Hirono: “Mr. Patel, did Donald Trump lose the 2020 presidential election, yes or no?” 

Patel: *Doesn’t answer* 

Sen. Hirono: “Once again, the people who are 100% loyal to President Trump can’t answer that question. It’s alarming that you want to be an FBI director but can’t answer a simple question, a factual question.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: “You said that Donald Trump has every right to tell the world that in 2020, 2016, and every other election in between was rigged by our government because they were. Yes or no, did you say that?” 

Patel: *Doesn’t answer* 

Sen. Klobuchar: “Ok, that was from August 27, 2023. … I’ll put it on the record.” 

Sen. Klobuchar: “These claims, made in that statement, were rejected by courts including by Republican judges, is that correct?” 

Patel: *Doesn’t answer again*

Does Patel remember appearing on conspiracy theorist, neo-Nazi, white supremacist Stew Peters’ show EIGHT separate times? 

Sen. Dick Durbin: “Stew Peters, does that name ring a bell?”

Patel: “I’m sorry, what?”

Sen. Durbin: “Are you familiar with Mr. Stew Peters?”

Patel: “Not off the top of my head.” 

Sen. Durbin: “You made 8 separate appearances on his podcast. He promoted outrageous conspiracy theories and worked with a prominent neo-Nazi.”

Does Patel still think it is a good idea to repost violence videos of himself taking a chainsaw to political enemies? 

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse: “Regarding his publication of his enemies list, Mr. Patel proclaimed, ‘the manhunt starts tomorrow’ and reposted a video depicting him taking a chainsaw to his political enemies. Is that you, Kash Patel, retruth, reposting that at the top of that page?”

Patel: *Doesn’t answer* 

Sen. Whitehouse: “Is that you reposting it was my question.”

Patel: “And that’s me at the top.”

Does Patel agree with Trump that General Milley should be tried for treason? 

Sen. Peter Welch: “Your boss has said General Milley, who served us with great distinction and I happen to have great admiration for, should be tried for treason, do you agree with that?” 

Patel: “Senator, everybody is entitled to their opinion.”