FBI director clashes with lawmakers during budget hearing

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with Democratic lawmakers Tuesday during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that was intended to review the Trump administration’s 2027 budget request for national law enforcement agencies.

The hearing focused on alleged misconduct by Patel, who denies claims from a report in The Atlantic, alleging he drinks alcohol excessively and it impacts his job performance. Last month, Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine.

“This is the ultimate example of hypocrisy,” Patel said. “I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations and fraudulent statements from the media.”

Maryland Democrat and ranking member Sen. Chris Van Hollen questioned Patel about the reports during heated exchanges.

Patel fired back at Van Hollen, referencing a trip the senator took to El Salvador last year to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant who was deported against a judge’s orders.

“Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted, gang-banging rapist was you,” Patel said to Van Hollen Tuesday. “The only person that ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, D.C. at the Lobby Bar was you.”

Sen. Patty Murray, (D-WA) vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, also criticized Patel’s conduct.

“We need somebody at this agency who’s focused on solving criminal cases, not passing out branded bourbon or jetting around the globe,” Murray said. “If you want to pass out liquor or pop bottles in a locker room, stick to podcasting. Leave law and order to people who really do care about justice and appearances.”

Patel and other agency heads did field questions about their funding requests. The FBI is asking for $12.53 million, a more than 17% increase from last year, in order to add more than 3,200 positions, 24 attorneys and nearly 1,300 new agents.