FBI Director Kash Patel and Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) engaged in a heated exchange during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Tuesday, with the two sparring over allegations of election interference, press freedom and Welch’s personal finances.
Welch pressed Patel on whether he was improperly aligning himself with President Donald Trump, asking, “why are you being such a panderer to President Trump, who’s still claiming that he won the 2020 election, and who has said the only way Democrats can win in 2026 is if they cheat? Do you believe that?”
Patel responded, “What I believe in is the rule of law. What I will always believe –” before Welch interrupted, saying, “The rule of law is the president saying in advance it’s been rigged.”
Patel then redirected the conversation, saying, “Are you done with your campaign ad, by the way?” He followed by questioning Welch directly: “I want to know how your wealth increased 4,000% since you became a United States senator, that’s a magic act all Americans should be aware of.”
Welch, a former personal injury lawyer, has built a fortune estimated at up to $13 million through investments in stocks and mutual funds. In 2021, his wife’s sale of ExxonMobil (NYSE: XON) stock led to a violation under the STOCK Act, which requires timely disclosure of certain financial transactions by members of Congress. Welch has since said he and his wife will no longer trade individual stocks.
Atlantic Investigation Questioned
The hearing also touched on whether the FBI investigated a journalist over a report alleging Patel had a drinking problem. Welch pressed Patel on the matter, and Patel denied the FBI had done so, at one point responding, “You hard of hearing? I just said no.”
Patel defended his response to the allegations more broadly, stating: “I am allowed to participate in my own defense, especially when there’s a smear campaign. One which you are participating in and continuing the falsehoods and lies that have been directed at me… You cannot stand the fact that President Trump and this FBI have made America more secure than it has ever been. You didn’t do it in your 20 years in the Senate. No other administration has done it. We’ve done it.”
Earlier in the day, Patel had also faced questioning from Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) regarding hiring practices at the bureau.
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