U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) has voiced strong opposition to the nomination of Kash Patel as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). As a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Hirono voted against advancing Patel's nomination out of committee.
During the hearing, Hirono expressed concerns about Patel's potential misuse of power within the FBI. She stated, "The American people deserve to know where he’s coming from," and criticized his unwavering loyalty to former President Donald Trump as his primary qualification for the role.
Hirono raised several issues regarding Patel's suitability for the position, citing his history with misinformation on topics such as the 2020 presidential election and COVID-19 vaccine supplements. Additionally, she questioned him about his list of individuals he considers part of an "Executive Branch Deep State."
The senator also condemned recent actions by the Trump administration involving the removal of senior career employees from both the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ). According to Hirono, over 5,000 FBI agents working on matters related to the January 6 insurrection have been targeted in these purges.
"Make no mistake, our nation is under constant threat—both foreign and domestic—and purging hard-working and dedicated civil servants does nothing to make us safe," Hirono asserted. She emphasized that this inward focus diverts attention from addressing external threats effectively.
Hirono further criticized Attorney General Bondi's formation of a "weaponization working group," which she believes continues this inward trend by potentially targeting investigators rather than protecting national security.
Throughout Patel's confirmation process, he reportedly avoided direct answers to key questions posed by Hirono and other senators. When asked if he would investigate individuals on his "Deep State" list or if he profited from selling COVID-19 vaccine detox supplements, Patel did not provide clear responses.
Senator Hirono concluded her remarks by urging for more transparency from Patel: "We should be calling him back so that the American people can find out what it is that this man plans to do." Her statements reflect deep concerns over Patel's alignment with Trump's interests and how it may influence his leadership at one of America's most critical law enforcement agencies.