A Senate oversight hearing erupted into shouting as FBI Director Kash Patel demanded that a Democratic senator’s microphone be turned off.
Patel appeared Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his second annual oversight hearing, where Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) accused the director of using government resources against journalists who write critically about him.
Booker had asked whether the bureau ever opened the investigation Patel promised into an alleged forgery in the Jeffrey Epstein birthday book. Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) invited the director to answer.
“We are not targeting reporters at any point in time,” Patel said, describing an administration focus on people who leak classified information.
Booker objected that the answer was consuming his questioning time. Grassley ruled that the time had expired, and the New Jersey senator refused to stop.
“You allowed Mike Lee to go 2 1/2 minutes over, but a Democratic senator, you’re cut off?” Booker asked.
“We don’t have an FBI director. We have a lackey here,” Booker said. “And, frankly, he’s not even a good lackey. He’s an incompetent lackey.”
“He’s like an 18-year-old kid who wants to join a fraternity that he could never be a member of, doing keg stands and chugging with friends,” Booker continued. “He’s an embarrassment to the agency and wouldn’t qualify even to be an FBI agent, sir.”
“Your time is expired,” Grassley said, banging his gavel.
“Frankly, he is a disgrace, sir,” Booker said. “It’s not just that we have a rogue FBI agent intimidating reporters. What’s bad is that we have Republicans in the Senate that are enabling him to go without any objective oversight or transparency or accountability.”
“Why do you figure you’re something special?” Grassley demanded.
“I’m not special!” Booker shot back. “Sir, you are not being balanced! My time has just now reached what Mike Lee did.”
“This is a mockery and a sham!” Booker said. “We have a rogue agent intimidating the press, violating people’s First Amendment rights, and doing everything the president asks!”
“You don’t show much respect for your chairman!” Grassley said.
“Sir, I have utter respect for you. In fact, I have love for you,” Booker answered. “And this is why I know this is not who you are.”
Booker had pressed Patel earlier in the hearing on his use of the FBI’s $60 million Gulfstream jet. House Democrats opened an investigation last year into flights that included an October trip to a Pennsylvania wrestling event where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed, CBS News reported.
“I have a right to ask questions about how he’s spending money on his girlfriend, and yet he stonewalls me, but will run on Fox News and talk about any and all these issues,” Booker said.
“And what’s bad is not the person sitting there who’s a mockery to the office he holds,” he added. “What’s bad is the people that are enabling him to do so.”
“This guy called me a thug. It’s kind of ironic,” Patel said when Grassley offered him time to respond. “He’s running for president of the United States.”
“You’re getting thrown out, but they can’t throw me out,” Booker told a protester being removed from the gallery. “I’m going to hold this man accountable for as long as he is in his job until he gets fired.”
Patel then told the committee that violent crime arrests by the bureau in New Jersey were up 75%. Booker credited state and local police officers.
“These are the lies that he continues to tell,” Patel said.
“Nothing I have said here is a lie,” Booker answered.
“You won’t answer my questions!” Booker said as Grassley banged the gavel again.
“Turn off his microphone,” Patel said.
“Or are you done now? Are you ready to shut up?” Grassley asked.
“I am done, sir,” Booker said.
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