But Trump loves that kind of guy.
I have always advocated for imprisoning those who harm our law enforcement and civilian communities, he added.
During the hearing, Patel in multiple instances refused to affirm that Trump lost the 2020 election.
Kash Patel in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The people who are 100 percent loyal to President Trump cant answer that question.
Its alarming that you want to be an FBI director but cant answer a simple question, Hirono countered.
Later in the hearing, Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) asked a similar question.
Can you say the words Joe Biden won the 2020 election?
Theres a difference, I can say the words Donald Trump won, I dont like to say it.
But I must say it.
And you cannot say that Joe Biden won the election.
Im not aware of that, sir.
I didnt have anything to do with the recording, Patel replied.
[…] When you say we, that includes you, doesnt it Mr. Patel?
Patels responded not in every instance.
So when you said we, you didnt really mean you.
Is that your testimony?
Unless you have a new definition for the word we, Patel replied.
He falsely claimed he disavowed QAnon
During questioning, Patel claimed that he rejected outright QAnons baseless conspiracy theories.
Patel postedreferences to trendsembraced by the QAnon community on his social media, andappeared on QAnon podcasts.
Not off the top of my head, Patel replied.
You made eight separate appearances on his podcast, Durbin countered.
