Patel walks out of hearing

FBI Director Kash Patel demanded the Senate Judiciary Committee end his oversight hearing Tuesday after nearly five hours of heated exchanges with Democrats over his personal life and fitness for the role.

Girlfriend present during testimony

Alexis Wilkins, a 27-year-old country singer and conservative commentator, sat stone-faced several feet behind Patel, 46, throughout the hearing.

Democrats grill Patel on drinking

Senators questioned Patel about his alleged drinking habits and whether he had ever been intoxicated on the job. Patel said earlier this year he had never been intoxicated while working.

“I've never been intoxicated on the job.”

SWAT team security dispute

Senator Adam Schiff pressed Patel over reports that he used the FBI's SWAT team to protect his girlfriend. Patel denied the allegations, calling them a total lie.

“It didn't happen. Total lie.”

Schiff presses for answers

When Schiff tried to repeat his question about the SWAT team, Patel refused to engage, telling him it was a total lie and he would not answer.

“I'm not going to answer it.”

Patel appeals to chairman

Frustrated by the back-and-forth, Patel turned to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and urged him to end the hearing entirely.

Patel claims personal attacks

Patel told Grassley that Democrats had called him a thug and liar, and baselessly attacked his loved ones, jeopardizing his safety and that of his family.

“They have called me a thug, a liar, and baselessly attacked my loved ones.”

Patel requests hearing conclusion

Patel asked Grassley to conclude the hearing, saying Schiff had no genuine interest in FBI oversight and was only interested in political attacks.

“I would appreciate it if you concluded this hearing because this guy has no interest in oversight.”

Grassley maintains order

Grassley did not immediately grant Patel's request. Instead, he attempted to urge calm and reiterated instructions on decorum to both Patel and Schiff.

Booker launches personal attack

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey called Patel a lackey and compared him to an eighteen-year-old trying to join a fraternity, saying he was an embarrassment to the FBI.

“We have a lackey. And frankly, he's not even a good lackey.”

Booker questions qualifications

Booker said Patel would not even qualify to be an FBI agent, describing him as someone doing keg stands and chugging with friends.

“He wouldn't qualify even to be an FBI agent.”

Hearing turns combative

The rest of the day featured heated confrontations between Patel and Democrats, with remarks that were often both combative and personal in nature.

Patel maintains decorum claim

Despite the shouting matches, Patel told Grassley he had maintained decorum throughout the entire hearing while Democrats attacked him and his loved ones.

“I've maintained decorum through this entire hearing.”

How Patel met Wilkins

Patel met country singer and conservative commentator Alexis Wilkins at a 2022 gathering at singer John Rich's Nashville home.

Wilkins' public appearances

Wilkins has appeared publicly with Patel at wrestling matches and other events, including during the beginning of Trump's second term in office.

Oversight hearing backdrop

The hearing was called to provide Senate oversight of Patel's tenure as FBI director, but devolved into personal attacks and disputes over his conduct.

Broader fitness questions

Democrats used the hearing to question whether Patel's personal conduct and alleged misuse of FBI resources demonstrated fitness for leading the nation's top law enforcement agency.