Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nomination to lead the FBI, was the latest of the president’s administration selections to confront legislators in a confirmation hearing Thursday, sparring with numerous Democrats, notably California Sen. Adam Schiff.
One former congressman joined in on the debate, calling Schiff a “embarrassment” and claiming that the California senator had a “ax to grind” against Patel.
“The American people have lost him in the United States House of Representatives. That benefited the House of Representatives. But I believe the Democratic senators are now recognizing that the circus has gone to them,” former Congressman Devin Nunes said on Thursday’s “The Will Cain Show.”
“I felt Adam Schiff was an embarrassment, as he always is. He certainly has a grudge against Kash Patel, because it was Kash on our team that mocked this guy year after year for lying to the American people.”
Schiff sparred with Patel at his confirmation hearing on Thursday, especially over a tape of a song released by Capitol riot detainees on January 6.
“So you are being considered for director of the FBI. And you did not conduct due diligence to determine if the persons you were now associated with, including the President of the United States in song, had been convicted of attacking police officers. Is that who we want to lead the FBI? I want you to turn around. There are Capitol Police policemen behind you. They’re protecting us. Take a peek at them right now. “Turn around,” Schiff stated at the session.
“I am gazing at you. “You’re talking to me,” Patel said.
“Look at them.” I’d like you to look at them if you can. If you have the courage, Mr. Patel, look them in the eyes and tell them you’re proud of what you’ve done. Tell them you’re glad that you raised money from individuals who assaulted their coworkers, pepper sprayed them, and beat them with polls. Tell them you are proud of what you accomplished, Mr. Patel. They are right there. They’re protecting you today. “Tell them how proud you are,” Schiff said.
“That’s an outright falsehood, and you know it. Patel said, “I have never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement.”
Nunes criticized Schiff’s “audacity” in attempting to “tarnish” Patel’s reputation.
The Schiff-Patel confrontation was one of several heated arguments at the session. Democrats questioned Patel about his past, particularly remarks made in his book “Government Gangsters.”
Patel condemned what he called “grotesque” insults on him.
Devin Nunes believes that Democrats’ assaults on Patel, particularly those spearheaded by Schiff, will backfire.
“It won’t take long before the United States Senate, the Democrat senators included, you could see it there today, that they’re going to get sick of Adam Schiff, and they’re going to be sad that he entered the U.S. Senate,” he said afterwards.
