Nominee for Attorney General Supports Kash Patel During Senate Hearing

New York, Jan 16 (NationPress) The nominee for attorney general by President-elect Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, has provided a robust defense of Kash Patel, who faced intense scrutiny ahead of his anticipated questioning by a Senate committee.

"I have known Kash, and I firmly believe that he is the right candidate for this position at this moment," Bondi expressed on Wednesday, as several Democratic senators raised concerns regarding his qualifications to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

"What I can attest to is that Mr. Patel has experience as a career prosecutor and public defender, and he possesses significant knowledge from his time in the intelligence sector," she stated.

During Bondi's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the focus remained on Patel's contentious remarks.

His hearing has yet to be scheduled. Similar to other senior officials in the U.S. government, the FBI director requires Senate confirmation.

Patel, known for his Republican views, has previously commented on an "enemies list" targeting government employees and politicians, declared intentions to close the FBI headquarters on "Day 1," and spoke about QAnon, a far-right movement known for spreading outlandish conspiracy theories.

As the leader of the Justice Department, Bondi will oversee the FBI.

She assured the senators, "Mr. Patel will report to me and the Department of Justice, and I will ensure that all regulations are adhered to — and he will too."

Senator Dick Durbin, a senior Democrat, referenced QAnon, which he claimed has propagated a conspiracy about a "cabal of Satanic, cannibalistic child molesters" working against Trump, and Patel's comments regarding it.

Bondi responded, "I am eager to hear his testimony about QAnon before this committee."

Republican Senator Thom Tillis defended them, stating, "It's ridiculous to bring that up without context."

He questioned, "Does anyone genuinely think someone with a notable career like Kash Patel believes in a cannibalistic cabal controlling the government?"

Democrat Richard Blumenthal urged Bondi to renounce Patel's controversial remarks, which she replied to by saying, "I am not well-versed in those statements. (and) I have not discussed those comments with Mr. Patel."

Patel's book, "Government Gangsters," alludes to an "enemies list" of individuals he claims are conspiring against Trump.

When this was mentioned, Bondi remarked, "I don't believe he has an enemies list. He made a comment on television that I am unaware of."

"There will never be an enemies list in the Department of Justice," she asserted.

The hearings indicated the challenges Patel will encounter in the Senate due to his close association with Trump and his flamboyant style.

As his first term concluded, Trump sought to appoint Patel as the deputy director of the CIA but faced resistance from then-director Gina Haspel.

Patel had previously held positions as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, before serving as chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.

Trump selected Bondi as attorney general following the withdrawal of his first nominee, Matt Gaetz, due to allegations of paying women, including a minor, for sex and drug use.

A Congressional ethics committee later corroborated these claims.

Bondi has previously served as Florida's attorney general and was Trump's attorney during his first impeachment.