During his confirmation hearing on Thursday, Kash Patel addressed past statements regarding going after individuals in the media. When questioned by Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono about his previous comments, Patel clarified that he does not intend to target media outlets as FBI director.
In a podcast appearance in 2024, Patel had mentioned going after 'people in the media' during a potential Trump administration. However, during the hearing, Patel stated that he would only consider action against the media if private citizens had been defamed.
Patel emphasized that the decision to pursue legal action against the media lies with the affected individuals and not with him. He highlighted the importance of respecting the rights of private citizens in such matters.
His earlier remarks about holding the media accountable for alleged misinformation and election interference were not reiterated during the confirmation hearing. Patel made it clear that his focus as FBI director would be on upholding the law and ensuring justice, rather than targeting the media.
While his past statements had raised concerns about potential crackdowns on the press, Patel's recent statements suggest a shift in his approach towards media scrutiny. The clarification provided during the hearing indicates a more nuanced stance on the issue of media accountability.
