Durbin Speaks On Latest Kash Patel Revelations, Urges Replacement

Durbin Speaks On Latest Kash Patel Revelations, Urges Replacement

Durbin: "Director Patel's behavior has been even more erratic and irresponsible than previously reported... Patel should be replaced immediately."

WASHINGTON - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called for Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel to be replaced after The Atlantic published an article outlining his excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

Durbin began by characterizing Patel's tenure, saying: "When Kash Patel was confirmed, I said that he had neither the experience, judgment, nor temperament to lead the FBI. Fourteen months later, Director Patel has confirmed my worst fears about his integrity and competency. Director Patel has spent his tenure at the FBI weaponizing the world's preeminent investigative agency to serve the interests of one person-President Trump."

Durbin then highlighted damage control efforts by Patel, including after Durbin released whistleblower information on Patel's mismanagement disrupting high-profile investigations, saying: "Director Patel tried to save face by firing even more people at the FBI who worked on President Trump's mishandling of classified documents. Several of the fired agents at the FBI were part of a global counterintelligence squad whose responsibilities included investigating espionage and cyber threats from Iran. Just days before the war began, Director Patel deliberately undermined the FBI's ability to counter Iranian threats-all to distract from his own failings and mismanagement as Director."

Durbin then addressed The Atlantic's reporting, saying: "Director Patel's behavior has been even more erratic and irresponsible than previously reported. Current and former FBI officials are worried that Director Patel has become a national security risk due to his chronic absenteeism and personal lifestyle. Those at FBI headquarters and field offices often find the Director absent at critical moments, delaying time-sensitive decisions in important investigations that require his approval. These accusations would be concerning for any government official-but for one of the people principally responsible for keeping Americans safe, they are downright disqualifying."

Durbin concluded: "Director Patel should be replaced immediately. Our country's safety is too important to be left in the hands of an unqualified and undependable individual who is loyal only to the President, not the people of this nation."

Video of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin's remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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