California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of 20 attorneys general have urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to seek further questioning of Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee for FBI Director. This request comes amid concerns over reports of politically motivated dismissals at the FBI and efforts to list agents involved in investigations related to the January 6th Capitol insurrection.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the critical role of the FBI in maintaining public safety alongside state Departments of Justice. He expressed concern over "politically motivated firings and retaliation against FBI agents" who participated in investigating events surrounding January 6th, highlighting the need for an "objective, nonpartisan FBI Director."
The letter sent to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin notes that shortly after Patel's confirmation hearing, more than a dozen high-ranking FBI officials were dismissed. It underscores the importance of Patel addressing these issues before his confirmation vote.
Further concerns are raised regarding potential plans by the Administration to dismiss additional high-ranking career FBI officials if they do not retire. The letter also references directives from acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove for compiling a list of staff involved with January 6th-related investigations.
The attorneys general argue that purging over 6,000 FBI personnel could severely impact public safety nationwide. They also criticize broader actions by President Trump perceived as undermining law enforcement, including firing U.S. Attorneys and pardoning individuals linked to Capitol violence.
Bonta and his colleagues stress that Congress must act promptly to ensure national safety and accountability from the Administration by demanding answers from Patel on these matters before proceeding with his nomination.
The letter is co-signed by attorneys general from states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.