Overview

• FBI Director Kash Patel testified Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, with a House oversight hearing scheduled for Wednesday.
• He defended releasing suspect images in the Charlie Kirk manhunt after falsely posting that a suspect was in custody, and he said he would not step down as Tyler Robinson’s first court appearance and charging were expected Tuesday in Utah.
• President Trump and Republican senators expressed confidence in Patel, with Chairman Chuck Grassley praising his direction and Sen. Dick Durbin condemning him as the most partisan FBI director.
• Three former senior officials have sued over what they allege were unlawful, politically motivated firings, as Patel reshaped leadership by adding co-deputy director Andrew Bailey alongside Dan Bongino.
• Lawmakers pressed Patel on the Justice Department’s unsigned July memo declining further Epstein disclosures, and legal analysts warned his public comments about evidence could complicate the Robinson prosecution.