Patel’s Senate Hearing Becomes Shouting Match: Live Updates

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut pressed Patel on whether the White House ever gave him direction on who to fire at the agency. Patel said while the FBI will discuss personnel needs with the White House and the Office of Management and Budget during the budgeting process, personnel decisions are entirely his own.

“Any termination at the FBI was a decision that I made based on the evidence that I have as director of the FBI, and that’s my job, and I’m not going to shy away from it,” Patel said.

Blumenthal went on to say that Patel’s testimony confirmed that he did in fact receive direction from the White House, prompting strong pushback from Patel.

“Do not put words in my mouth. We’re on the record. The White House, like any administration, contacts its agencies on the budgeting process where these personnel and where the mission priorities are. That always happens. If they didn’t do that, they would be abdicating the responsibility to law enforcement,” he said.