Attorney General Peter F. Neronha, alongside 20 other attorneys general, has urged Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley to demand further questioning of Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee for FBI Director. The request comes amid concerns about politically motivated firings within the FBI and efforts to compile a list of agents involved in the investigation of the January 6th Capitol riots.
"Mr. Patel must return for further questioning before the Senate votes on his confirmation," stated Attorney General Neronha. He emphasized the importance of public safety and expressed concerns over potential cuts at the FBI under Patel's leadership, stating it could leave the United States vulnerable to threats ranging from terrorism to drug cartels.
The coalition highlighted reports indicating that more than a dozen high-ranking FBI officials were dismissed shortly after Patel's confirmation hearing. They also raised alarms over alleged plans by acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove to compile a list of staff involved in investigations related to the January 6th events.
The attorneys general insist that before any confirmation vote, Mr. Patel should clarify his intentions regarding this list, arguing that "[p]urging over 6,000 FBI agents and staff will have disastrous effects on public safety across the country."
Furthermore, they condemned recent actions by the Trump administration towards law enforcement, including pardoning over 1500 rioters involved in violence against Capitol Police Officers and attempting to cut off funding for law enforcement nationwide.
The group asserts that Congress must protect Americans and hold the Administration accountable, starting with requiring Mr. Patel to answer questions about these issues before a confirmation vote.
Attorneys general from states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington joined Rhode Island in sending this letter.