Patel Clashes With Democrats on Epstein Files, Touts Crime Fighting Stats

FBI Director Kash Patel fended off questions about the probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as House Democrats alleged a Trump administration coverup. 

Patel returned to Capitol Hill for a second consecutive day of testimony Wednesday, and House Democrats were more single-minded messaging than Senate counterparts the previous day.

Nearly every Democrat member of the House Judiciary Committee asked if the FBI was covering up an association between President Donald Trump and Epstein, whose 2019 death in a federal prison cell was ruled suicide. 

Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., repeatedly asked Patel if he told Attorney General Pam Bondi that Trump’s name was in the Epstein files. Swalwell at one point started speaking slowly and loudly as he asked the question. “Did you tell the attorney general that Donald Trump’s name is in the Epstein files? Yes or no?”

Swalwell even said, “bull—t” as they talked.

Patel grew impatient with Swalwell and shot back, “I’m going to call bull—t” on your entire career in Congress. You’ve been a disgrace to the American people.”

“Your fixation on this matter and baseless accusations that I’m hiding child pedophiles is disgusting,” Patel said.  

The Justice Department is currently gradually releasing volumes of redacted documents to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee in response to a subpoena. 

Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., even told Patel, “You are part of the coverup.”

But Rep. Thomas Tiffany, R-Wis., asked a key question regarding Trump. 

“Director, is President Trump implicated in any wrongdoing related to Jeffrey Epstein?” Tiffany asked. 

Patel replied, “Based on the entirety of the evidence that we have, absolutely not.”

The FBI director blamed former U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta’s narrow investigation of Epstein.

“The original sin on the Epstein case was how it was handled by Mr. Acosta when he first brought the case in 2006, 2007 and 2008,” Patel said. “The original case has a very limited search warrant, a very limited search window, a very limited investigative window. … It was limited to only three to four years of investigation from 1997 to 2001.” 

Acosta was Trump’s first labor secretary, but stepped down because of his allowing Epstein to enter a sweetheart plea agreement to serve weekend jail terms. 

On the Republican side, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky sponsored legislation to require more disclosure of the Epstein files. Massie met with Epstein victims who said they gave the FBI information about others who were involved. 

“We know these people exist in the FBI files, files that you control. I don’t know exactly who they are, but the FBI does. Have you launched any investigations into any of these people?” Massie said. 

Patel said he wasn’t aware of this, but stressed, “The FBI will meet with anyone who has new information.” 

Massie pressed, “Will you personally meet with them?”

Kash again answered, “The FBI and the professionals handling the cases will.”

Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., pointed to media clips of Patel calling for full release of the Epstein files before he was the FBI director. 

Patel responded that three federal courts have placed restrictions on what can be released. 

“We’re talking about the evidence you’ve got, it has nothing to do with what those courts have,” Raskin snapped back.

Patel replied, “Do you have any idea how the law works? Do you want me to break the law and a federal judge’s order?”

“No, I want you to follow your own word, director,” Raskin said. 

“We have gone to court, and everything we have direct control over, we have lawfully released,” Patel responded. 

Patel noted past Democrat administrations took no action. 

“Jeffrey Epstein was out for 12 years and the Obama-Biden administration did nothing to look at his work, his pedophile network,” Patel said. 

Raskin said, “I’m blaming you.”

“Has anyone released more Epstein information than I have? Did Comey or Wray?” Patel said, referring to his two predecessors as FBI director, James Comey and Christopher Ray.

Raskin said, “It’s coming out in dribs and drabs. Why don’t you just release the entire file?”

Patel said, “I literally just told you. There are multiple federal court orders. I’m not going to break the law just to satisfy your curiosity.” 

During the hearing, Patel stressed that during his seven months as director, the FBI has increased arrests for violent crimes.

“In just seven months—we are on track to produce the lowest murder rate in modern U.S. history by double digits,” Patel said. 

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, later pivoted to what the FBI isn’t doing, such as targeting Catholics and conservatives, as uncovered during the Biden administration. 

“Is the FBI still spying on parents at school board meetings?” Jordan asked. 

“No, sir,” the director said. 

“Is the FBI still targeting Catholics?” Jordan said, getting the same response. In rapid fire, Jordan asked, “Is the FBI still censoring Americans?” 

“Is the FBI still targeting Americans for shopping at Cabela’s or purchasing Bibles?” Jordan asked.

“Is the FBI still targeting Americans who are pro-life?” Jordan asked.

“Is the FBI still labeling the Betsy Ross Flag, of the American Revolution, a ‘hate symbol?'” Jordan asked. 

Getting a no on these and other questions, Jordan said, “Well, maybe that’s why you’ve been able to–what was the number, 23,000 bad guys you’ve arrested? … I think you said 1,400 predators? 4,000 children rescued?”

“Maybe when you’re not focused on politics, you can focus on what the FBI is supposed to do: go get the bad guys,” Jordan followed. 

Patel replied, “That’s what the men and women of the FBI do.”

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