Kash Patel faces questions on Charlie Kirk investigation in congressional hearing

[ad_1] FBI Director Kash Patel kicked off two days of questioning on Tuesday from congressional committees about his tenure main the FBI to this point. He is additionally dealing with questions in regards to the assassination of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk final week.

In his look earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday, Patel addressed his dealing with of the Kirk investigation -- one thing he confronted criticism for after he shared on social media at one level {that a} suspect was in custody, however then needed to backtrack an hour and a half later.

Rating Member Dick Durbin, a Democrat, slammed Patel throughout his opening remarks on Tuesday, saying Patel sparked "mass confusion" in his posts about Kirk's killing. Patel stood by his efficiency, touting the truth that Kirk's suspected shooter was caught in lower than 36 hours.

FBI Director Kash Patel seems earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee for his first oversight listening to, Sept. 16, 2025, on the Capitol in Washington.

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Patel stated he directed authorities to launch the picture of the suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, within the Kirk taking pictures. Kirk was killed in Utah on Wednesday and Robinson was apprehended after his father acknowledged him in images launched by authorities, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox stated on Friday. His father instructed Robinson to show himself in, with the 22-year-old initially saying no, however later altering his thoughts, officers stated.

Patel contends this solely occurred as a result of he ordered "in opposition to all legislation enforcement suggestions," as he stated on X on Saturday, the discharge of video and enhanced pictures of the suspect.

"We can not do our job with out the American public and credible reporting within the media," Patel stated. "And that is why Tyler Robinson is in custody in the present day about to face expenses."

Sen. Dick Durbin speaks as FBI Director Kash Patel seems earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee for his first oversight listening to, Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, on the Capitol in Washington.

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Patel addressed criticism that he has confronted for a way he dealt with the investigation on "Fox & Mates" on Monday morning.

"I used to be telling the world what the FBI was doing as we had been doing it. I proceed to do it. I problem anybody on the market to discover a director who has been extra clear and extra prepared to work the media with excessive profile instances or any instances that the FBI [is] dealing with."

For his half, President Donald Trump is standing behind Patel. Requested for his ideas on Patel's efficiency Tuesday morning, Trump stated he helps Patel and that he has "confidence in everybody within the administration."

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel arrives to testify earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee within the Hart Senate Workplace Constructing on Capitol Hill, September 16, 2025 in Washington.

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Patel is dealing with questions on a bunch of different points whereas he has been on the helm of the FBI, together with the dealing with of the Jeffrey Epstein recordsdata.

The Trump administration has been coping with blowback it obtained from MAGA supporters for its choice to not launch extra supplies associated to the investigation into Epstein, the rich financier and convicted intercourse offender who died by suicide in jail in 2019.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel testifies earlier than the Senate Judiciary Committee, on Capitol Hill, September 16, 2025 in Washington.

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Epstein, whose personal island property was within the U.S. Virgin Islands, has lengthy been rumored to have stored a "consumer record" of celebrities and politicians, which right-wing influencers have baselessly accused authorities of hiding.

The Justice Division and FBI introduced in July that they'd discovered no proof that Epstein stored a consumer record after a number of high officers like Patel, earlier than becoming a member of the administration, had themselves accused the federal government of defending info concerning the case.

Patel squarely blamed former U.S. Lawyer and Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who initially oversaw the Epstein investigation. Acosta resigned amid controversy over his function in a 2008 plea take care of Epstein and defended his choice, saying his purpose "was easy" and included placing Epstein behind bars.

"I am right here to testify that the unique sin within the Epstein case was the best way it was initially introduced by Mr. Acosta again in 2006. The unique case concerned a really restricted search warrant, or set of search warrants, and did not take as a lot investigatory materials it ought to have seized," Patel stated. "If I had been the FBI director, then it would not have occurred."