Trump FBI pick Kash Patel accused of directing staff purge while still a nominee

Summary

Sen. Dick Durbin accused Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI nominee, of orchestrating a purge of FBI staff before Senate confirmation.

In a letter to the Justice Department’s inspector general, Durbin alleged Patel was receiving internal FBI information and directing personnel actions through White House officials.

If true, Patel may have perjured himself during his confirmation hearing when he denied knowledge of retaliatory plans.

Patel’s spokeswoman dismissed the claims as false. The FBI declined to comment, and the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on his nomination Thursday.