U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee for FBI Director, during his confirmation hearing. The senator focused on Mr. Patel's history of spreading misinformation about the 2020 presidential election and COVID-19 vaccine "detox" supplements.
Senator Hirono challenged Mr. Patel on various issues, including a list he compiled of 60 individuals he believes are part of an "Executive Branch Deep State." When asked if he would investigate these individuals if confirmed as FBI Director, Mr. Patel did not provide a direct answer.
The senator also inquired about Mr. Patel's promotion of unregulated COVID-19 vaccine "detox" supplements and whether he profited from these promotions. Mr. Patel did not directly answer this question either.
“Over 1 million Americans died as a result of COVID-19,” stated Senator Hirono. “The COVID-19 vaccine saved lives, yet, less than a year ago, you promoted unregulated, unproven, unscientific supplements to ‘reverse’ the effects of the vaccine on Truth Social.”
Senator Hirono further pressed Mr. Patel on his belief regarding the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Again, Mr. Patel refrained from explicitly stating that Donald Trump lost.
“Mr. Patel, the FBI is the primary agency responsible for investigating election-related crimes," said Senator Hirono. "So being able to separate fact from conspiracy theories around elections is an important thing for the FBI Director.”
In addition to questioning his stance on free media and his role with Trump Media Technology Group, Senator Hirono asked if Mr. Patel would continue supporting Operation Not Forgotten to address violent crime in Indian country if confirmed as FBI Director.
Reflecting on diversity issues raised during the hearing, Senator Hirono noted: “We have seen a wholesale attack and assault in the past two weeks by President Trump on the value of diversity.” She expressed hope that pressure from groups like Mike Davis' Article Three Project would not influence her Republican colleagues' votes.
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