Amy Klobuchar Spars With Kash Patel Over Past Statement That FBI HQ Should Be Shut Down: It Is His Own Words!

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar peppered FBI director nominee Kash Patel with questions based on his own words pulled from social media and podcasts during his confirmation hearing, often leading Patel to say, "I don't have it in front of me" or that's a "partial statement."

Klobuchar began with Patel's comments regarding the 2020 presidential election, quoting Patel that Donald Trump had every right to say that "every election...was rigged by our government because they were."

"These claims were rejected in court.," Klobuchar continued, asking Patel to acknowledge the court findings. "I don't have enough of the facts in front of me," Patel responded.

Klobuchar then brought up a social media post in which she said Patel stated that police who battled rioters on Jan. 6 were "cowards in uniforms" who were "exposed, they broke the chain of command."

"I don't have it in front of me," Patel responded.

Klobuchar also drilled down on apparent statements Patel had made promising prosecutions of current and former justice department officials, his support of a COVID-19 supplement, and his promise to prosecute members of the media.

As Kloburchar's time ran down, she asked if Patel had said the FBI headquarters should be closed down and reopened as a museum of the deep state.

When the committee chair began to move on without Patel having answered the question, Klobuchar demanded an answer.

"I deserve an answer to that question," Klobuchar said. "He is asking to be head of the FBI, and he said that their headquarters should be shut down."

Patel said that the "false accusations" and "grotesque mischaracterizations" were a disservice to the FBI and to those in the law enforcement community who support his nomination.

"Mr. Chairman, I am quoting his own words," Klobuchar said. "It is his own words. It is not some conspiracy...Facts matter."