President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, refused to say that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election during his confirmation hearing.
While Patel stated that election results had certified that Biden had won the election, he was bashed by Democratic senators for evading saying the exact phrase.
Patel, a former federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, was first asked by Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono to simply answer "yes" or "no" if Trump lost the 2020 election.
"President Biden's election was certified. He was sworn in and he served as the president of the United States," Patel responded.
The FBI director nominee's response caused Hirono to let out a small laugh before saying, "It is alarming that you want to be an FBI director but can't answer a simple question, factual question."
Vermont Sen. Peter Welch then asked a similar question to Patel later in the hearing, "Can you say the words Joe Biden won the 2020 election?"
"Joe Biden was the president of the United States," Patel answered
Like Hirono, Welch laughed first before comparing his own answer to Patel's. "I can say the words, 'Donald Trump won.' I don't like to say it, but I must say it," he said.
Patel also came under fire from Democratic lawmakers for his previous support for the January 6 Choir, which consisted of recordings of inmates convicted in connection with the Capitol riots. California Sen. Adam Schiff accused Patel of promoting the recording, while Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin also questioned him about it.
The nominee was also blasted by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar for his previous comments on social media and on podcasts, including a quote from Patel that suggested that the FBI be shut down.
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