Overview

• Patel is testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, with a House Judiciary appearance set for Wednesday in back-to-back oversight hearings on his leadership.
• Lawmakers are examining his initial false post claiming a suspect was in custody after Kirk’s killing; the actual suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was arrested about 33 hours later and is due in a Utah court as prosecutors prepare charges.
• Patel publicly described evidence in the case, including an alleged text in which Robinson wrote he had an opportunity to “take out” Kirk, drawing warnings from legal analysts about potential prejudice to the prosecution.
• Three former senior FBI officials have sued after their firings, alleging politically motivated retaliation under Patel; Republicans on the committee largely backed him as Democrats questioned politicization and morale.
• Senators are also pressing Patel over the Justice Department’s July decision not to release additional Jeffrey Epstein-related materials, as Patel defends his tenure, touts transparency and crime-fighting efforts, and retains support from the White House.