FBI Director Kash Patel snapped on Wednesday after Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) accused him of lying during his Senate confirmation hearing.
It was only 10 days into Donald Trump’s second term when Patel, nominated to lead the FBI, sat in front of the Senate facing a barrage of questions. One question stood out: Patel was asked about his ties to Stew Peters, a well-known anti-Semite and host of his own podcast. Patel claimed he didn’t know Peters, despite the fact he had appeared on Peters’ podcast eight times.
During a Wednesday hearing on Trump’s 2026 budget request, Dean brought up this moment to suggest Patel had been dishonest.
“During your Senate confirmation hearings, you repeatedly denied having any involvement as a private citizen in the firing of FBI officials who engaged in the prosecution against January 6th insurrectionists,” Dean said, calling out Patel’s statements about the Capitol rioters. “Since then, multiple whistleblowers have come forward, and we know that you likely committed perjury. At the same hearing, you claimed you were not familiar with Stew Peters, an anti-Semitic Holocaust denier, despite the fact that you appeared on Mr. Peters’ podcast eight separate times — eight times — and you claimed not to recall. Mr. Patel, my second question is, should we worry more about your memory or your veracity?”
That’s when Patel lashed out.
“We should worry more about your lack of candor,” Patel shot back. “You’re accusing me of committing perjury. Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony. Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit.”
Dean responded: “The answer is both.”
“The answer is you’re failing,” Patel fired back.
Watch the heated exchange below via C-SPAN.
REP DEAN: "When can I expect the FBI at my door?"
KASH PATEL: "You know who was targeted by a weaponized FBI? Me. You should read the book."
DEAN: "Should we worry more about your memory or your veracity?"
PATEL: "Your lack of candor. Your accusing me of perjury. Tell the… pic.twitter.com/mLc60p1uNS
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) May 7, 2025
