‘Was called dismissable’: Trump’s FBI -Director Pick Kash Patel admits to meet racism

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s election to be director of the FBI, performs for the Senate Legal Committee for his confirmation hearing at Capitol in Washington, Thursday 30 January 2025. (AP)

Kash Patel, US President Donald Trump’s nominees to lead the FBI, said he has been exposed to racism while growing up as an individual and avoiding directly answering whether he would investigate officials on a public list of his perceived enemies. Under his Confirmation hearing On Thursday, he tried to tackle the concerns about his qualifications and loyalty to Trump.
Patel, a former prosecutor, faced strong criticism during his five -hour hearing.
His nomination breaks with the tradition of choosing FBI directors with non -partic background and experience with law enforcement. If confirmed, Patel could give Trump direct influence on the FBI and raise concern for Political interference.

Here are the most important takeaways from Kash Patels Confirmation Hearing:

‘Unfortunately, yes’: Kash about whether he was subject to racism
Kash Patel, an Indian-American, shared that he experienced racism that grew up. In response to Senator Lindsey Graham’s questions about whether he had ever been subjected to racial discrimination, Patel, 44, confirmed that, but did not want to go into depth. “Unfortunately, senator, yes. I don’t want to get into these details with my family here, ”he said.
Patel mentioned a specific example related to his testimony before the 6th of January committee, where he was subjected to a serious threat to his life after his personal information was released by Congress. “I had to move because of the threat,” he explained.
He told of receiving hateful messages, including being called derogatory sling and asked to return to his homeland, with accusations that associate him with terrorism. “If you look at the record from January 6, where I testified before this committee, because of my personal information released by Congress, I was exposed to a direct and significant threat in my life. And I put this information in the post.
“I was called an abominable – and I will apologize if I don’t get it in order, but it’s in the record – a abhorrent sandnigger who was not right in this country. You should go back to where you came from.
Patel about absolute loyalty to Trump and the rule of law
Throughout the hearing, the Democrats accused Patel of prioritizing his loyalty to Trump over the rule of law. Patel denied the charge.
Patel said he did not support violence against law enforcement even when asked about Trump’s decision to forgive those convicted in the attack on January 6 at Capitol. He said, “There can never be a tolerance of violence against law enforcement.”
When Senator Mazie Hirono asked if he would investigate former FBI director James Comey and others he has criticized in public, Patel said he would only investigate people who seemed to have committed crimes.
When asked if he planned to investigate former FBI director Christopher Wray, who stepped down after Trump said he would shoot him, Patel said he would not focus on previous cases. Patel has previously criticized the FBI’s investigations of Trump.
Senator Cory Booker asked Patel, “Will you lie to the president of the United States? Would you lie to Donald Trump?”
“No,” Patel replied.

Patel asked for support for Capitol rebels

Patel was also asked about his earlier support for people involved in the attack on January 6th. He had helped promote a song recorded by some of the rebels in prison, including those convicted of attacking police officers.
Patel tried to distance himself from the song.
“I didn’t know about the violent offenders. And I did not participate in any of the violence in and around January 6, ”Patel said.
Senator Dick Durbin asked, “Was President Donald Trump wrong to give blanket Klemency to the January 6th defendant?”
Patel replied, “I have always rejected any violence against law enforcement, including in this group, any violence against law enforcement on January 6.”
At several points, Patel refused to criticize Trump’s pardon of rebels who assaulted officers.
No ‘enema list’
Kash Patel told the Democrats during his confirmation hearing on Thursday that he did not have a “enema list” and that the FBI under his leadership would not target the president’s opponents or conduct politically motivated investigations.
“I have no interest, no desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards,” Patel said during the Senate Committee of Justice, where support for his nomination was shared by party lines. “There will be no politicization at the FBI. No retributive actions will be taken.”
Patel said his primary goal as a director would be to fight violent crime and protect the nation from what he called three major national security threats: terrorism, Chinese espionage and Iranian aggression.
It is still uncertain whether Patel has sufficient Republican support to secure confirmation, although GOP members have expressed optimism about his chances. When he was nominated in November, the Democrats expected his unwavering allegiance to Trump – along with his former provocative comments about the FBI – would provoke considerable public opposition.
However, such a setback has not realized. Patel’s confirmation hearing, which took place with the equally disputed hearings for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And Tulsi Gabbard, triggered intense debate. Still, it did not seem to trigger a political fire storm that could jeopardize his nomination by eroding support within the Republican majority.