Kash Patel (PTI image)
FBI Director Kash Patel on Wednesday faced extensive questioning during a roughly five-hour House Judiciary Committee hearing, as lawmakers pressed him on his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the release of related documents.During the hearing, Patel responded to repeated demands for more disclosures by asking, “Do you know how the law works? I’m not going to break the law to satisfy your curiosity.”Ranking Member Jamie Raskin challenged Patel over the FBI’s decision not to disclose the names of Epstein’s alleged co-conspirators in the rape and sex trafficking of young women and girls, as reported by ABC News.Patel defended the agency’s actions, stating, “We have released more material than anyone else before” and emphasizing that the FBI has shared “everything the court has allowed us.” Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, died by suicide in jail in 2019. The investigation into his associates continued after his death, culminating in the 2020 conviction of Ghislaine Maxwell. Prosecutors have not publicly named other individuals they suspect of involvement.Earlier this month, tens of thousands of documents were recently released by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It included public court filings, Maxwell trial transcripts, previously released flight logs from Epstein’s plane, Bureau of Prisons communications on the night of Epstein’s death and other public court papers. On Tuesday, Committee Chairman James Comer said that the committee received additional documents from the Epstein estate, which are expected to be released soon.Raskin accused Patel of misdirection, saying the FBI’s releases “have nothing to do with what those courts have,” and criticized Patel for previously suggesting the federal government was shielding information on the Epstein case.Republican Representative Thomas Massie questioned Patel’s statement that there was no credible evidence Epstein trafficked women to anyone other than himself. Patel replied that the conclusion came from assessments by three separate US Attorneys across different administrations, not his personal judgment.Democratic Representatives Eric Swalwell and Daniel Goldman challenged Patel on the release of the full files and whether President Trump’s name appeared in them. Exchanges between Patel and lawmakers escalated into shouting matches. He criticized the Swalwell’s entire career, describing it as a disgrace to the American public. Goldman accused Patel of “hiding the Epstein files” and being “part of the cover-up.”Earlier this month, the House Oversight Committee obtained Epstein’s “birthday book,” reportedly containing a letter allegedly signed by Trump for Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003. Trump has denied authoring the letter, calling it “fake.”Patel’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday was similarly contentious, involving heated exchanges with Senators Adam Schiff and Cory Booker. Patel called Schiff a “political buffoon” and an “utter coward.”Schiff retorted that an “internet troll” can be made FBI director but “will always be nothing more than an internet troll.” Booker said Patel’s actions were making the country “weaker and less safe,” to which Patel replied that the comments “do not bring this country together.”
Kash Patel on Charlie Kirk case arrest:
During the House hearing, Patel also highlighted the FBI’s role in the rapid arrest of Tyler Robinson, 22, the alleged shooter in the killing of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk last week. Patel credited the quick apprehension to the release of videos and photographs under his direction, which he said allowed law enforcement to identify Robinson.The FBI is investigating whether others were involved in the shooting after reports surfaced on Discord that Robinson allegedly told friends, “Hey guys, I have bad news for you all … It was me at UVU yesterday. I’m sorry for all of this.” Patel stated that additional individuals linked to the case are being investigated and interrogated and that the probe remains ongoing. Robinson has been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated murder. No other suspects have been charged.
