Senate Democrat Accuses Trump’s FBI Nominee of Perjury
A key Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has accused President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, of potentially committing perjury during his confirmation hearing.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the committee, made the allegation on Tuesday, citing information from credible whistleblowers. He urged his Republican colleagues to reconsider their support for Patel’s confirmation, scheduled for a vote on Thursday.
Durbin’s accusation centers around the dismissal of top FBI officials in late January 2021, as part of Trump’s efforts to install loyalists in key positions. Patel, who had previously advocated for overhauling the FBI, is alleged to have played a role in the purge.
According to whistleblower notes from a meeting on January 29th, Patel allegedly expressed a desire for "movement at FBI" and demanded "reciprocal actions for DOJ." This suggests that Patel was pushing for the removal of targeted FBI employees, in line with similar actions taken by the Department of Justice against prosecutors.
On the day of his confirmation hearing, Patel was questioned by Senator Cory Booker about his knowledge of any plans to punish or terminate FBI personnel involved in investigations of Trump. Patel responded that he was not aware of such plans.
However, Durbin’s allegations contradict Patel’s testimony. The senator claims that Patel was aware of the purge and may have even orchestrated it. This raises concerns about Patel’s credibility and his suitability for the position of FBI director.
Patel’s spokesperson, Erica Knight, dismissed Durbin’s claims as "second-hand gossip" and urged senators to confirm him. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa also defended Patel’s nomination, arguing that he is needed to restore public trust in the FBI.
An FBI spokesperson declined to comment, while the White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Durbin has called for an urgent investigation into Patel’s involvement in the removal of FBI officials. "This alleged misconduct is beyond the pale and must be investigated immediately," he wrote in a letter to the inspector general.
He emphasized that the FBI requires a director who is not focused on political retribution. "He has left behind a trail of grievances throughout his life, lashing out at anyone who dares to disagree with him or fails to respect him sufficiently," Durbin said. "And now these credible allegations that he has personally orchestrated a purge of senior FBI law enforcement officials."
The allegations against Patel have cast a shadow over his confirmation process and raised questions about his fitness for the position. Republicans, who hold a narrow majority in the Senate, will have to weigh these concerns against their support for Trump’s nominee.
