Sen. Adam Schiff of California expressed deep concern on Monday over Kash Patel’s expected confirmation as the next FBI director, calling it a devastating blow to the agency. “It is just a tragedy for the FBI that it comes to this. I can’t imagine the demoralization at the FBI and the Department of Justice. The damage will be long, long-standing,” he said, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Despite Schiff’s opposition, Republicans are backing Patel’s nomination, arguing that the FBI is in dire need of reform after years of alleged political weaponization under President Joe Biden’s administration. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, defended Patel, saying, “The Trump administration is cleaning house at the FBI because the FBI is and has been for many years infected with political bias and whistleblower retaliation.”
Schiff and fellow California Democrat Sen. Alex Padilla both serve on the Judiciary Committee, which approved Patel’s nomination in a 12-10 party-line vote. The full Senate is expected to vote on his confirmation next week.
Republicans have long accused the Biden administration’s FBI of engaging in politically motivated investigations, including its focus on Trump and individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot. The FBI’s 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents also remains a point of contention. Trump was indicted in 2023 over the documents but saw the case dismissed after his re-election last year.
Grassley argued that Patel is the right choice to lead the FBI, stating, “Mr. Patel should be our next FBI director because the FBI has been infected by political bias and weaponized against the American people.”
The Senate is scheduled to vote on Patel’s confirmation on Tuesday.
