Overview

• Kash Patel told Congress that the White House’s proposed $545 million cut to the FBI budget would force the agency to eliminate 1,300 positions, jeopardizing its core functions.
• Patel’s $11.1 billion budget request diverges sharply from the Trump administration’s proposal, which aims to streamline the FBI by reducing diversity programs and other initiatives not in line with Trump’s priorities.
• During a contentious House hearing, Patel clashed with Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, who accused him of perjury and politicizing the FBI; Patel denied the allegations and accused Dean of using false claims for political gain.
• Sen. Dick Durbin has requested a Government Accountability Office investigation into Patel’s use of government aircraft, citing concerns about potential personal travel and reimbursement compliance.
• Patel defended his plans to relocate approximately 1,000 FBI positions from Washington, D.C., to field offices nationwide, emphasizing the need to address threats more effectively at the local level.