The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, has raised concerns about Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the FBI, alleging that Patel is involved in directing the removal of bureau employees before being confirmed for the position.
According to Durbin's letter to the Justice Department's inspector general, he has received credible information from multiple sources indicating that Patel has been giving instructions to White House and Justice Department officials regarding recent firings at the FBI. Durbin expressed worry that Patel may have misled during his confirmation hearing by claiming ignorance of the termination plans.
Durbin emphasized that it is unacceptable for a nominee without a current government role, especially at the FBI, to be personally involved in unjustified and potentially illegal employment actions against senior career FBI officials and other nonpartisan law enforcement officers.
The allegations against Patel have sparked further criticism from Democratic lawmakers who question his ability to impartially execute Trump's directives and doubt his qualifications for the FBI leadership role.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, where Durbin serves as the ranking member, is scheduled to vote on Patel's nomination on Thursday morning.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Patel dismissed the claims as based on anonymous sources and second-hand information, labeling them as a false narrative.
Durbin's letter suggested that Patel was receiving internal FBI information and instructing his advisory team, which includes acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, to implement directives at the FBI.
The focus of Durbin's concerns is on meetings held in late January where career FBI employees were reportedly pressured to resign or face termination. Durbin mentioned that Patel's team had a written list of names of individuals targeted for removal.
The Justice Department's inspector general's office declined to provide any comments on the matter.
