Senators ask FBI director nominee Kash Patel about ‘enemies list’ and politicization

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• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  In another hearing room this morning, the fate of another controversial pick, Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee to head the FBI.

• Kash Patel, FBI Director Nominee:

  I have no interest, no desire, and will not, if confirmed, go backwards. There will be no politicization at the FBI.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  An agency that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley said needs revival.

• Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA):

  Mr. Patel, I know you know this, but it's your job to restore the public trust and return the FBI to its core mission of fighting crime.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  Patel opened his hearing with a pledge.

• Kash Patel:

  I will remain focused on the FBI's core mission. That is to investigate fully wherever there is a constitutional, factual basis to do so.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  Patel, who served in Trump's first administration, has long promoted conspiracy theories that a — quote — "deep state" exists across the FBI, CIA and media, all conspiring against Trump.

• Kash Patel:

  I shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  His false claims and staunch loyalty to the president have raised concerns among Democrats, a number of former Trump officials, and some in law enforcement.

  Under oath today, Patel claimed to not know a far right conspiracy theorist who's made antisemitic remarks…

• Kash Patel:

  Thanks, Stew. Always love coming on your show.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  … despite appearing on his podcast multiple times,

  And he broke from Trump when asked about the sweeping pardons Trump granted to January 6 rioters.

• Kash Patel:

  I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  Patel has a history of glorifying the January 6 rioters. He helped produce what's known as the J6 Prison Choir, a recording played often at Trump's campaign rallies. In it, defendants in the Capitol attack sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" from inside their jail cells.

• Kash Patel:

  It's not my choir.

• Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL):

  Who sings on this recording?

• Kash Patel:

  I don't know, Senator.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  The DOJ's January 6 report made public earlier this month confirmed at least six men on the recording pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers.

  Another flash point, Patel's so-called enemies list. His 2023 book, "Government Gangsters," ends with a glossary of — quote — "members of the executive branch deep state," 60-plus names, including former FBI Directors James Comey and Christopher Wray. Democratic

  Senator Amy Klobuchar pressed him about one name in particular, Trump's former Attorney General Bill Barr.

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN):

  Is it because of a personal vendetta that he's on the list? You're under oath.

• Kash Patel:

  I have no personal vendetta against people.

• Sen. Amy Klobuchar:

  OK.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  When Patel was floated to serve as deputy FBI director during Trump's first term, Barr, a Republican, said "Over my dead body<" adding in a book he wrote later that Patel had virtually no experience to serve in the role.

  Despite Patel's history, Republicans on the committee praised his nomination.

• Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO):

  The rot is deep and the time for you is now and I'm glad because reform is needed.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  Asked who he ultimately answers to, Patel recited the chain of command.

• Kash Patel:

  The FBI is a member of the Department of Justice, and has been the longstanding application…

• Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE):

  And who does the Department of Justice work for?

• Kash Patel:

  They're in the executive branch, as all members do at the White House.

• Sen. Chris Coons:

  Attorney General Bondi gave a different answer when I asked her the same question, that they work for the Constitution and the American people.

• Sen. Charles Grassley:

  The hearing is adjourned.

• Laura Barron-Lopez:

  For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Laura Barron-Lopez.