(16 Sep 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY WHITE FLASHES++
POOL
Washington DC – 16 September 2025
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Chuck Grassley, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee:
"You’ll get a lot of grief from some members of this committee, but in in the short amount of time you’ve been director, you’ve corrected whistleblower retaliation, increased transparency more than any other FBI director I’ve seen, whether that FBI director was appointed by Republicans or Democrats. And I’ve been around here more than anybody else on this committee."
++WHITE FLASH++
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee:
"As a reminder to Republicans who claim the Biden administration weaponized the FBI, President Biden retained director Wray, a lifelong Republican who was President Trump’s nominee for the office after his second election. In an unprecedented move, President Trump forced out director and nominated Kash Patel, arguably the most partisan FBI director ever. Director Patel came to the FBI with a political mission, and he spelled it out in writing in detail. He wrote government gangsters, quote, the rot at the core of the FBI is not just scandalous, it’s an existential threat to our Republican form of government. End quote. And with the power of his office and the blessings of the president, he attacked the FBI with a vengeance."
++ WHITE FLASH++
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Kash Patel, FBI Director:
"The last time I appeared before this committee was in January for my confirmation hearing. I told you then that if I were confirmed, I would provide and do everything I can to provide a safe and secure America. I promise to provide the courageous men and women, the FBI, the tools and resources they need to crush violent crime and defend the homeland. I pledge myself to commit to full transparency, oversight and accountability so we could restore the public’s trust in the FBI. That’s exactly what I’ve done."
++WHITE FLASH++
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kash Patel, FBI Director:
"Mr. Chairman, and members of the committee and Ranking Member Durbin, I’m honored to be the ninth director of the FBI. I’m not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on"
++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++
STORYLINE:
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s Republican chairman has signaled his support for FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel is confronting skeptical Senate Democrats at a hearing likely to be dominated by questions about the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing and the firings of senior FBI officials who’ve accused Patel of illegal political retribution.
Tuesday’s appearance represents the first oversight hearing of Patel’s tumultuous tenure.
The hearing provides a platform for Patel to try to reassure wary lawmakers he’s the right person for the job at a time of internal upheaval and mounting concerns about political violence.
Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley praises Patel for beginning the work of "returning the FBI to its law enforcement mission.”
The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, opened his remarks by criticizing Patel for the removal of career FBI officials and the diversion of agents to help with immigration enforcement.
Durbin called Patel “arguably the most partisan FBI director ever,” saying he has “already inflicted untold damage on the FBI.” Durbin accused Patel of putting the country’s “national security and public safety at risk.”
Democrats, meanwhile, will intensely question Patel over what they say is a highly politicized approach to the FBI.
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