‘I’m not going anywhere’: Kash Patel hits back at critics amid Charlie Kirk investigation scrutiny and FBI shakeups

FBI Director Kash Patel faced tough questions from Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday (September 16) over his handling of the manhunt for Tyler Robinson, the gunman accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Despite the criticism, Patel asserted he has no plans to step aside.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Patel told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Bring it on.”

The hearing came in the wake of controversy over Patel’s use of social media during the investigation. He had prematurely posted that the suspect was in custody, a statement that later proved inaccurate, prompting criticism from lawmakers who said it caused confusion during a critical stage of the manhunt.

Criticism from Democrats

Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the committee’s top Democrat, sharply criticised Patel for upheaval at the FBI under his leadership.

“Director Patel came to the FBI with a political mission,” Durbin said. “With the power of his office and the blessings of the president, he attacked the FBI with a vengeance.”

Patel highlights enforcement achievements

Patel defended his record, highlighting what he described as significant law enforcement gains under the Trump administration.

“Under this administration, the FBI has arrested more than 23,000 violent criminals,” he said. “That’s more than twice the same time period from last year alone.”

Questions on Jeffrey Epstein and intelligence

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa asked Patel whether financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019, had ever served as an intelligence asset. Patel replied: “As the director of the FBI, I can only speak for my agency. Epstein was not a source for the FBI.”

Concerns about social media and political violence

Patel also addressed the role of social media in political violence. He warned that online networks were “wildly out of control” in fueling radicalization and expressed support for stripping companies of legal protections under Section 230.

Kash Patel faces scrutiny over purges

Kash Patel defended his handling of high-profile cases and staffing decisions during the hearing, facing sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers over recent purges and allegations of political retribution.

Senator Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the committee, accused Patel of causing “untold damage on the FBI” and jeopardizing national security and public safety through what he called an “unprecedented purge of FBI officials.”

Senator Cory Booker said the firings of agents involved in past criminal cases against President Donald Trump had “made our country weaker and less safe” and predicted Patel “is not going to be around long.” He added, “As much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump — and not the Constitution of the United States of America — Donald Trump has shown us… he is not loyal to people like you. He will cut you loose.”

Patel dismisses allegations of political retaliation

When asked by Senator Adam Schiff if any FBI agents were fired in political retaliation, Patel sharply responded, calling Schiff the “biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate” and a “political buffoon.”

“I do not have an enemies list,” Patel said. “The only actions we take, generally speaking, for personnel at the FBI are ones based on merit and qualification and your ability to uphold your constitutional duty. You fall short, you don’t work there anymore.”

Three former senior FBI officials filed a lawsuit last week claiming they were victims of a “campaign of retribution” for allegedly failing to demonstrate sufficient political loyalty.

Defense of Epstein case

Patel defended his handling of the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He told senators there is no “credible information” in law enforcement files suggesting Epstein trafficked young women to others. “There is no credible information, none,” he said. “If there were I would bring the case yesterday that he trafficked to other individuals.”