By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-patel-defends-kirk-killing-investigation-in-opening-statement-for-senate-judiciary-hearing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Patel defends Kirk killing investigation in opening statement for Senate Judiciary hearing Politics Sep 16, 2025 1:21 PM EDT Facing some criticism from conservative corners about how he has led the FBI in the wake of the Charlie Kirk shooting, Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that his agency — “at my direction” — successfully brought the suspect into custody. Watch FBI Director Kash Patel’s full opening statement in our video player above. He also touted the number of arrests made by the FBI, saying it represents an increase from the Biden administration. WATCH LIVE: FBI Director Patel appears at Senate hearing amid criticism over Kirk probe “We are leading the mission to crush violent crime and defend the homeland,” Patel said in his opening statement to a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Patel touts shift of FBI to target violent crime Patel’s opening remarks also highlighted his efforts to transform the bureau to focus on combating violent crime. WATCH: Sen. Kennedy presses FBI Director Patel to release the Epstein files Patel said the FBI has arrested more than 23,000 violent criminals this year — an increase compared with last year. He also touted the FBI’s efforts to target drug trafficking and violent drug cartels. Critics have raised concerns that the focus on immigration enforcement and violent crime could divert attention from the FBI’s ability to focus on matters like counterterrorism. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Facing some criticism from conservative corners about how he has led the FBI in the wake of the Charlie Kirk shooting, Director Kash Patel said Tuesday that his agency — “at my direction” — successfully brought the suspect into custody. Watch FBI Director Kash Patel’s full opening statement in our video player above. He also touted the number of arrests made by the FBI, saying it represents an increase from the Biden administration. WATCH LIVE: FBI Director Patel appears at Senate hearing amid criticism over Kirk probe “We are leading the mission to crush violent crime and defend the homeland,” Patel said in his opening statement to a hearing held by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Patel touts shift of FBI to target violent crime Patel’s opening remarks also highlighted his efforts to transform the bureau to focus on combating violent crime. WATCH: Sen. Kennedy presses FBI Director Patel to release the Epstein files Patel said the FBI has arrested more than 23,000 violent criminals this year — an increase compared with last year. He also touted the FBI’s efforts to target drug trafficking and violent drug cartels. Critics have raised concerns that the focus on immigration enforcement and violent crime could divert attention from the FBI’s ability to focus on matters like counterterrorism. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now