FBI Director Kash Patel is set to testify Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee in a highly anticipated hearing focused on bureau reforms under the second Trump administration and the recent assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The hearing marks Patel’s second appearance on Capitol Hill in two days, following testimony before the Senate on Tuesday. Lawmakers will have five-minute rounds of questioning, with Republicans and Democrats expected to take sharply different approaches.
GOP Focus: “Weaponization of Government”
House Judiciary Republicans are expected to press Patel on long-standing concerns about alleged FBI “weaponization.” These issues were frequently raised during former FBI Director Christopher Wray’s tenure and remain a priority for the GOP majority.
Democratic Concerns: Firings and Immigration Priorities
House Democrats, meanwhile, are likely to challenge Patel over:
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The controversial firings of senior FBI officials this year.
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The FBI’s shift toward immigration enforcement, typically under the Department of Homeland Security’s jurisdiction.
Senate Democrats raised similar questions Tuesday, zeroing in on Patel’s limited law enforcement background and accusations that firings occurred without due process.
Patel, a former public defender and Trump administration official, pushed back forcefully:
“I’m not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on,” Patel said.
Key Topics on the Agenda
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Charlie Kirk Assassination: Patel is expected to be grilled over early missteps in the FBI’s handling of the case before the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was arrested 33 hours later.
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Jeffrey Epstein Case: Both parties may revisit the Department of Justice’s refusal to release additional details on Epstein’s sex trafficking case, despite public and political pressure.
Why It Matters
This hearing comes as the FBI undergoes sweeping reforms under the Trump administration, sparking fierce debate over the bureau’s direction, its independence, and its handling of high-profile cases.
With partisan divides running deep, Patel’s testimony is expected to be combative — and potentially pivotal in shaping the public’s perception of the FBI’s future.
This story is developing.
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