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Kash Patel in FBI director confirmation hearing pledges "no retributive actions" amid grilling on past comments

Democrats grill Kash Patel about Jan. 6, loyalty to Trump in confirmation hearing for FBI director 05:02

What to know about Kash Patel's confirmation hearing today:


  • Kash Patel appeared Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to be FBI director. Patel has been nominated to replace Trump-appointed Christopher Wray, whose resignation took effect on Jan. 20. 
  • Democratic senators pushed Patel on his prior social media posts, promotion of the "J6 Prison Choir," a list "deep state" Executive Branch officials listed in his book "Government Gangsters," his refusal to say if President Trump lost the 2020 election, and his prior comments about the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Patel sought to distance himself from his comments, arguing that they were being "mischaracterized" and lacked context.
  • But Patel did appear to make a notable break with Mr. Trump, on the scope of the clemency granted to some Jan. 6 defendants. Patel said the pardon power lies with the president, but added "I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement."
  • Read more on the confirmation hearings today for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, as well as a schedule of the hearings.
 

Confirmation hearing ends with praise from Republicans

The Senate Judiciary Committee adjourned the confirmation hearing for Patel with closing remarks from Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Chuck Grassley.

Tillis, of North Carolina, offered praise for Patel, saying he "exhibited composure" and his "knowledge of the subject matter" qualifies him for director of the FBI.

Grassley, the Judiciary Committee chairman, closed the hearing by thanking Patel for his testimony

"I think you did very well and your reputation leading up to and during this hearing, I think, proves that you're a person that can stand a lot of heat, including a president telling you how to do your job," he said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Booker: "The question is will you lie for the president of the United States?"

Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, followed his fellow Democrats in probing Patel about his grand jury testimony in the investigation into Mr. Trump's handling of documents marked classified, and specifically whether he saw the president declassify the documents that were found at Mar-a-Lago after his first term in office.

Patel said he witnessed the president issue a declassification order for "a number of documents" but said he does not know what documents were recovered from Mar-a-Lago by federal investigators.

"The question is will you lie for the president of the United States," Booker said. "Would you lie for Donald Trump?"

Patel replied "no."

But Booker said the best way to clarify whether he would lie for Mr. Trump would be for Patel to testify about what he told the grand jury.

"It would be utterly irresponsible for this committee to move forward with his nomination unless we know factually, which can be proven by looking at the documents that he's refusing to testify toward, it would be irresponsible for us to move forward if we do not know that the future head of the FBI would break the law and lie for the president of the United States," the senator said. "We could find that out factually if we had access to the testimony or if he would tell us what he said to the grand jury, which by the law of the United States of America he's allowed to but he's refusing to do so."

Booker continued: "He's refusing the transparency that he claims to adhere to. He is refusing to be direct with the United States Senate. He is refusing to be transparent and put it all out there. Did he or did he not lie for the president? That is the question."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel and Whitehouse spar over grand jury testimony

During a second, shorter round of questioning, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, asked Patel to authorize the Judiciary panel to obtain the transcript of his testimony before a grand jury in 2022.

"I authorize this committee to get whatever is appropriate and lawful," he said.

Patel and Whitehouse went back and forth on whether rules governing the secrecy of grand jury proceedings allow a witness to speak about their testimony and approve the transcript's release to Congress.

"I don't know if I singularly have that authority," Patel said.

He later referenced a court order issued by the chief judge of the U.S. district court in Washington, where the grand jury proceedings took place.The mention of a court order raised further questions from Whitehouse of whether one was in place that prohibited him from revealing his testimony before the grand jury. 

"I can't go into court orders granted by the D.C. district chief judge," Patel said. "You want me to violate a court order?"

In response to another question from Whitehouse about protecting documents held by the FBI about the criminal investigations about Mr. Trump, Patel said he would preserve "all records."

In a second exchange with Blumenthal, Patel said he does not object to the committee seeking access to the transcript of his grand jury testimony.

"I'm here to testify to this committee about everything I'm allowed to," he said.

Blumenthal then asked Patel, "what are you hiding? What won't you tell us? … The appearance here is that you have something to hide."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel fields questions from multiple Democratic senators about song recorded by "J6 Prison Choir"

Several Democratic senators have used part of their questioning Thursday on a song recorded by the "J6 Prison Choir," a group of prisoners who were charged for their roles in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Patel has promoted the song, "Justice for All," on social media, calling it "powerful and moving" in a March 2023 posting. But when he was asked about it during his confirmation hearing, he distanced himself from the group and the song.

"I promoted the heck out of raising money for families in need," Patel said during an exchange with Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California.

Schiff served on the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 assault.

Asked whether he did due diligence before promoting the song, Patel said he didn't record the song himself.

"I did not know about the violent offenders and I did not participate in any of the violence in and around Jan. 6," he said.

Schiff criticized Patel for associating himself with defendants who were accused of attacking police officers.

"Is that who we want running the FBI?" the senator asked.

He urged Patel to turn around and look at the U.S. Capitol police officers in the room.

"I want you to look at them if you can, if you have the courage to look them in eye, Mr. Patel, and tell them you're proud of what you did. Tell them you're proud that you raised money off of people that assaulted their colleagues, that pepper sprayed them, that beat them with poles. Tell them you're proud of what you did," Schiff said. "They're right there. They're guarding you today."

Patel accused Schiff of telling an "abject lie" and said he never made money off of the song.

"I am fit to be the director of the FBI," he said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel addresses 2020 hostage rescue mission in Nigeria

Sen. Alex Padilla, a Democrat from California, asked Patel to discuss claims that he inaccurately said the U.S. had permission from the Nigerian government to use its air space as part of a 2020 operation aimed at freeing Philip Walton, a 27-year-old who was taken hostage by armed men at his farm in Niger. The Atlantic first reported the incident last August.

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who served under Mr. Trump, wrote in his memoir that Patel, who was senior director for counterterrorism at the time, told Pentagon officials that the State Department had received permission from the Nigerians. But they had not given their approval.

The mission ultimately went forward and the State Department received approval to use Nigerian airspace at the last minute.

Esper wrote that his team "suspected Patel made the approval story up, but they didn't have all the facts."

Patel said the incident "hits home" because he had friends who were part of the SEAL Team 6 raid to rescue Walton.

"There is never a time in my career that I would jeopardize the safety of the men and women in uniform," he said.

Patel also cited comments from former national security officials who said he "acted appropriately, relayed all information accurately and never jeopardized the safety of hostages."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel questioned about grand jury testimony in documents case

Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, questioned Patel about his testimony before a federal grand jury as part of the investigation into Mr. Trump's handling of sensitive government records after leaving office.

Booker repeatedly pressed Patel about whether he testified to witnessing the president declassifying documents. Patel declined to disclose information about his testimony and instead urged Booker to seek the transcript of his appearance.

Patel invoked his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination during his appearance, Booker said. A spokesperson for Patel told CBS News in November 2022 that "his testimony was compelled over his objection through the only legal means available to the government — a grant of limited immunity."

After Mr. Trump's first term, Patel was designated by the president to serve as a representative to the National Archives and Records Administration.

He told Breitbart News in May 2022 that Mr. Trump "declassified whole sets of materials in anticipation of leaving government." The president had argued that he committed no wrongdoing with his handling of sensitive government records after leaving office in January 2021 in part because he declassified many documents.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Confirmation hearing resumes

The Judiciary Committee has reconvened to continue the confirmation hearing of Patel for FBI director.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Judiciary Committee breaks

The Judiciary Committee is taking a 30-minute lunch break and will resume questioning of Patel when it returns.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel won't say outright that Trump lost the 2020 election

Sen. Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, asked Patel whether Mr. Trump lost the 2020 election.

"President Biden's election was certified," Patel said. "He was sworn in and he served as the president of the United States."

Hirono said she was looking for a yes-or-no response.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Blumenthal says Patel "failed" test of whether he would push back against unlawful directives from Trump

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut pressed Patel on whether he would tolerate the firing of FBI agents who worked with former special counsel Jack Smith's office on the investigations into Mr. Trump. 

The president was charged in two separate cases brought by Smith, but they have since been dropped because longstanding Justice Department policy forbids the prosecution of a sitting president.

"Every FBI employee will be held to the absolute same standard and no one will be terminated for case assignments," Patel said.

He later added that "all FBI employees will be protected from political retribution."

But Blumenthal wasn't pleased with Patel's answer and said he "failed" the test of whether he would push back against unlawful directives from Mr. Trump.

Blumental's line of questioning stemmed from the Justice Department's firing of roughly a dozen employees who worked for Smith on the investigations and prosecutions of Mr. Trump.

The president has repeatedly attacked the FBI for conducting the court-authorized search of his South Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, in August 2022 and recovering more than 100 documents marked classified. Mr. Trump faced 40 charges as a result of his alleged mishandling of sensitive government records after leaving office and pleaded not guilty. 

The case was ultimately dropped by the Justice Department after Mr. Trump's election in November.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel vows "no retributive actions" will be taken by FBI if he is confirmed

Patel sought to assuage concerns that he would not maintain the FBI's independence and instead follow directions from Mr. Trump to open investigations into his political adversaries, such as former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Any law enforcement investigation would only be launched on "a factual, articulable legal basis to do so," he said.

"I would never do anything unconstitutional or unlawful and I never have," Patel said, later adding that he will "always obey the law."

During the exchange with Sen. Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, Patel was asked whether he would follow through on prior statements to refer his predecessor, former FBI Director Chris Wray, for criminal prosecution.

"There is enough violent crime and enough national security threats to this country that the FBI is going to be busy going forward preventing 100,000 overdoses, 100,000 rapes and 17,000 homicides," he said.

Patel told Coons that he has "no interest, no desire and will not if confirmed go backwards. There will be no weaponization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as FBI director."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Klobuchar quotes from Patel's book, says "it is not some conspiracy, it is what Mr. Patel said himself"

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, ran through a list of comments and social media posts from Patel on a range of topics, from the integrity of the 2020 election to the COVID-19 pandemic to criticisms of Mr. Trump's purported enemies.

But Patel repeatedly told the panel that he didn't have some of the statements at issue in front of him and did not believe others were accurate.

In one exchange, Klobuchar asked Patel whether, when promoting supplements that could allegedly help people "detoxify" the effects of COVID-19 vaccines, he conducted clinical trials.

Patel said he was not a doctor but did "give people an opportunity to make an independent choice about what was best for their families."

In another exchange, Klobuchar asked Patel whether he included former Attorney General Bill Barr on a list of so-called "deep state" executive branch employees because of a personal vendetta against him.

Patel said it is a "mischaracterization" to call it an enemies list, when the names are part of a glossary in the back of his 2023 book, "Government Gangsters."

"I have no personal vendetta against Bill Barr," he said.

As Klobuchar ran over on time, she told the panel that she was quoting Patel's own words.

"It is his own words. It is not some conspiracy. It is what Mr. Patel actually said himself. Facts matter," she said.

Patel, meanwhile, defended himself from the criticisms.

"Any accusations leveled against me that I would somehow put political bias before the Constitution are grotesquely unfair and I will have you reminded that I have been endorsed by over 300,000 law enforcement officers to become the next director of the FBI," he said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel: "We need to make sure Americans have trust again" in surveillance measures

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas took up questioning on Section 702 of the Foreign Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. government to collect digital communications of foreigners outside the U.S. It has been criticized because Americans can end up being surveilled as well without a warrant. 

Patel has previously appeared to be critical of the way the statue was used under Wray.

"The issue, for me, is not with FISA in 702, the issue has been those that have been in government service and abused it in the past," Patel said. "And so we must work with Congress to provide the protections necessary for American citizens dealing with these matters, including hostage rescue operations in real time, which we use FISA collection to find and save American hostages." 

Patel said that having a "warrant requirement" to go through that information "in real time is just not comported with the requirement to protect American citizenry." 

Cornyn said the newly-installed CIA director John Ratcliffe said that while 702 can be used "appropriately," it can also be "abused by people who are willing to cross a line they should not cross."

"They're both true, and that's why we need to work together to make sure Americans have trust again in these measures used to protect our country," Patel said. 

By Caroline Linton
 

Patel says social media posts cited by Democrats are taken out of "grotesque context"

Following criticisms by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island, Patel rejected the characterization of his comments. 

"In the collective, all of those statements are taken out of grotesque context," he said.

Patel accused his critics of "intentionally putting false information into the public ether and creating more public discourse. The only thing that will matter if I am confirmed as director of the FBI is a de-weaponized, depoliticized system of law enforcement completely devoted to rigorous obedience of the Constitution and a singular standard of justice."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel says he disagrees with commutations of sentences for those who committed violence against police on Jan. 6

Durbin asked Patel whether he agrees with Mr. Trump's decision to grant clemency to more than 1,500 people who were charged as a result of their conduct on Jan. 6. The president granted the pardons and commutations just hours after he was sworn into his second term in office.

Patel said the pardon power rests with the president, but he appeared to split with Mr. Trump on his decision to commute the sentences of 14 defendants who were serving sentences after they were convicted of committing serious crimes on Jan. 6

"I have always rejected any violence against law enforcement, and I have included in that group specifically addressed any violence against law enforcement on Jan. 6," he said. "I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement."

Among those whose sentences were commuted by Mr. Trump hours after he was sworn in was Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right group the Oath Keepers who was sentenced to 18 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and other crimes.

Others who received commutations include members of the far-right group the Proud Boys, who were serving sentences after they were convicted of numerous crimes and accused of assaulting law enforcement.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel: "I have always respected law enforcement"

Democrats grill Kash Patel about Jan. 6, loyalty to Trump in confirmation hearing for FBI director 05:02

In the first round of questioning from Grassley, Patel pushed back against the assertion that he criticized law enforcement on Jan. 6.

"I have always respected law enforcement," he said. "I have taken that oath and will take that oath again, God willing, to be the next director of the FBI."

Patel again reiterated that "there can never be a tolerance for violence against law enforcement and anyone that commits an act of violence against law enforcement must be investigated, prosecuted and imprisoned. On Jan. 6, I said the same thing about acts against law enforcement."

He praised the Capitol Police for their response on Jan. 6 and said he will call out corruption in government because it is a "privilege to serve this nation."

Patel also rejected claims that he has promoted QAnon conspiracy theories.

"I have publicly … rejected outright QAnon baseless conspiracy theories or any other baseless conspiracy theories. They must be addressed head-on with the truth," he said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel provides two-prong plan for boosting trust in the FBI

Patel kicked off his opening statement by introducing his parents and sister, who traveled to Washington, D.C., for the hearing.

He said he is committed to "justice, fairness and the rule of law," and said American values have been the "driving force" of his career.

"Protecting the rights of the Constitution is of the utmost importance to me," Patel said.

Patel said his experience working as a public defender early in his career underscored the importance of due process.

Patel then laid out what he said is a two-fold plan for improving the public's trust in the FBI

"We must tackle violent crime," he said. "The priority of the FBI, if I am confirmed, is to ensure that our communities are protected and safeguarded and our children have parks to play in and not needles to walk over. The way we do this: we let good cops be cops."

The second prong, he said, is aggressive constitutional oversight from Congress.

"The public trust can only be restored if there is full transparency," he said.

Patel pledged to respond to appropriate requests from Congress expeditiously and fully.

"I am committed to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the FBI," he said. "They are our warriors of justice and I will always have their backs because they have the backs of the American people."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel sworn in

Patel was sworn in for his confirmation hearing and will deliver opening remarks.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Tillis introduces Patel

Sen. Thom Tillis introduced Patel at the hearing, laying out his background and professional experience.

"Kash possesses significant expertise, an ironclad commitment to justice, and he's an outstanding choice to lead the FBI," the North Carolina Republican said.

Tillis said Patel "continues to advocate for justice and transparency and to be ever vigilant in defending our great democracy and the rule of law."

The GOP senator said he created a "K$H Bingo Card" that includes attacks he expects to hear against Patel.

"I am honored to provide my strongest recommendation for his confirmation," Tillis said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Grassley refutes Durbin's characterization of Patel's Jan. 6 remarks

Grassley pushed back on Durbin's characterization of what Patel said about Jan. 6, calling it a "mischaracterization." 

Patel was not talking about the police officers who responded to the Capitol, Grassley said, but was instead talking about senior Pentagon leadership failing to mobilize the National Guard.

"His comments had nothing to do with police," he said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Durbin lambasts Patel for Jan. 6 comments

Durbin read a series of comments made by Patel on social media about the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, including his claims that officers who responded to the assault were "cowards in uniform exposed."

"Do you think they were cowards?" he said, noting that officers from both Capitol Police and Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department responded.

Durbin also highlighted Patel's claims that the FBI planned the events of Jan. 6 and said he has been involved in the recording of songs performed by those who were in prison as a result of their actions four years ago.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Durbin says Patel does not meet the high standard expected of FBI employees

In his own opening remarks, Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee, warned about the damage that is done to the FBI when the bureau is used to pursue a president's personal objectives, citing former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover's tenure leading the bureau. He said Congress has taken steps to ensure the independence of the FBI and highlighted the bureau's values of fidelity, bravery and integrity.

"I do not believe you meet this standard," he said of the high standard expected of FBI employees. "Mr. Patel has neither the experience, the temperament nor the judgment to lead an agency of 38,000 agencies and … field offices around the globe," he said.

Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, raised Patel's prior comments, including his suggestion that he would close the FBI's Washington, D.C., headquarters and go after members of the media. 

"Does this sound like the kind of nonpartisan law enforcement professional who should lead the FBI? Not to me," he said. "This is someone who has left behind a trail of grievances throughout his life, lashing out at anyone who disrespects him or doesn't agree with him."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Grassley warns of "FBI in crisis" in opening remarks

Grassley, an Iowa Republican, opened the hearing by offering prayers to those who died in the plane crash in the Potomac late Wednesday night. 

"This is a horrible, hard-to-understand disaster that demands answers," he said.

Turning to Patel's nomination, Grassley highlighted his background and stressed that it positions him well to lead the FBI.

"Mr. Patel's career has been a study in fighting unpopular but righteous causes, exposing corruption and putting America first," he said.

Grassley warned that public trust in the FBI has declined and said the bureau has been plagued by abuse, lack of transparency, and weaponization.

"It's your job to restore the public trust and return the FBI to its core mission of fighting crime," he said.

Grassley also refuted the claims that Patel has a so-called enemies list. In his book, Patel lists the names of more than 50 former or current U.S. officials who he believes are part of the "deep state," leading to concerns by his critics that he could use his position as FBI director to target them with investigations.

But Grassley told the panel that an "enemies list" is "not a fair characterization."

"Mr. Patel has identified those he believes have put politics and personal ambition over service to the country," he said. "He has called out those who've used the institutions like the FBI to achieve their own personal gain. Mr. Patel has said he believes that people who do this should be named, and that Americans deserve transparency so that they can make their own judgment, as they did in this last election."

He called other attacks against Patel "unfounded," and said he has the qualifications needed to lead the FBI at this time.

"Should you be confirmed, you'll take charge of an FBI that is in crisis," Grassley said.

By Melissa Quinn
 

Grassley gavels in

Senate Judiciary chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley graveled in the hearing shortly after 9:30 a.m. He opened by acknowledging the Wednesday night crash in the Potomac.

By Caroline Linton
 

Patel's hearing set to proceed despite plane crash outside of Washington, D.C.

In an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal, Patel laid out how he would approach the role of FBI director and pledged to work alongside the men and women of the FBI, calling them "warriors of justice."

"If confirmed, I will remain focused on the FBI's core mission and not involve the bureau in prosecutorial decisions. Determining whether someone should be charged with a crime is the responsibility of the Justice Department, not the FBI," he wrote. "If confirmed, I will guide the agency in investigating criminals and safeguarding the homeland."

Patel said he believes there are two foundational steps needed to shore up the public's confidence in the FBI.

First, he wrote, "good cops be cops. Leadership means supporting agents in their mission to apprehend criminals and protect our citizens."

Patel wrote that if he is confirmed he will focus on streamlining operations at the bureau's headquarters in Washington and boosting the presence of field agents nationwide.

"Collaboration with local law enforcement is crucial to fulfilling the FBI's mission," he said.

Mr. Trump's pick also highlighted the need for transparency.

"Members of Congress have hundreds of unanswered requests to the FBI," Patel wrote. "If confirmed, I will be a strong advocate for congressional oversight, ensuring that the FBI operates with the openness necessary to rebuild trust by simply replying to lawmakers."

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel's hearing set to proceed despite plane crash outside of Washington, D.C.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to move forward with Patel's confirmation hearing despite the deadly plane crash near Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Wednesday night. 

Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS Chief John Donnelly told reporters during a briefing Thursday morning that at least 28 bodies have been recovered. He said officials don't believe there are survivors.

The Federal Aviation Administration said a plane operated by American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, collided in midair with an Army Black Hawk Helicopter, Officials said there were 60 people and four crew on board the aircraft, and the helicopter was carrying three soldiers. 

By Melissa Quinn
 

Patel likely to face sharp questioning

In order to win confirmation, Patel will need to secure support from all 53 Senate Republicans, assuming all Democrats oppose his nomination.

But he is likely to face sharp questions from the Judiciary Committee about his fealty to Mr. Trump and his distrust of the Justice Department and FBI, the nation's premier law enforcement agency. 

In his book "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy," Patel said the FBI has become "compropised" and has claimed there is a so-called deep state of career government officials who attempted to "take down" Mr. Trump.

He also suggested in a September radio interview that the FBI's Washington, D.C., headquarters should be shuttered and reopened as a "museum of the 'deep state.'"

Patel told conservative commentator Steve Bannon in December 2023 that a second Trump administration would prosecute the president's perceived enemies.

"We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government, but in the media. Yes, we are going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections," he said. "We are going to come after you. Whether it's criminal or civilly, we will figure that out. But yeah, we are putting you all on notice."

By Melissa Quinn
 

FBI insider raises concerns about Kash Patel's role in hostage rescue

Days before this week's high-stakes confirmation hearing of Kash Patel to be FBI director, a bureau insider has come forward with new information questioning Patel's judgment during sensitive hostage rescue missions, CBS News has learned. 

The whistleblower, whose identity is being withheld by Senate Democrats for fear of retaliation, worked with the FBI's Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, which leads the government's missions to rescue hostages overseas. The whistleblower alleges that Patel violated firmly entrenched protocols to keep such operations under wraps until the captives are safely in U.S. hands and their families have been notified.  

In a letter obtained by CBS News, Sen. Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote that Patel, while serving on the National Security Council during the first Trump term, "broke protocol regarding hostage rescues by publicly commenting without authorization on the then-in-progress retrieval of two Americans held captive by Iranian-backed militants in Yemen in October 2020." 

Read more here.

By Daniel Klaidman
 

What to know about Kash Patel

Patel was born on Long Island, New York, and attended the University of Richmond. He received his law degree from Pace University, and has a certificate in international law from the University College London.

He began his career as a public defender in South Florida, and worked as a trial attorney in the Justice Department's National Security Division. He also was a legal liaison to Joint Special Operations Command.

In 2017, Patel was special counsel on counterterrorism at the House Intelligence Committee, and then worked as a senior committee aide to its then-chairman, former Rep. Devin Nunes, and as senior counsel at the House Reform and Oversight Committee.

During the first Trump administration, he worked for the National Security Council, as principal deputy at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and chief of staff to acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller.

Patel joined the board of directors for the Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns the social media platform Truth Social, in April 2022 and served as a national security adviser to the president during the campaign.

By Melissa Quinn
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