Attorney General Mayes, along with 19 other attorneys general, has sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley. The coalition is urging the Senate to call back Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, for further questioning before his confirmation proceeds. This request comes in response to reports of politically motivated dismissals within the FBI and efforts to compile a list of agents involved in investigating the January 6th Capitol riots.
"The Senate has a duty to get real answers from Mr. Patel before moving forward with his confirmation," stated Attorney General Mayes. "Firing career FBI officials for political reasons undermines public safety and weakens our justice system. The American people deserve transparency about what’s happening at the FBI."
The group of attorneys general emphasized the importance of Patel addressing these reports. They noted that after his initial confirmation hearing, news emerged about over a dozen high-ranking FBI officials being fired and a list being developed of all agents who worked on investigations related to the January 6th riots. They argue it is essential for Patel to clarify these actions before any confirmation vote takes place.
The letter also highlights concerns over reports that "the Administration plans to fire at least six high-ranking career FBI officials if they do not retire" and that "acting deputy attorney general Emil Bove directed FBI staff to compile a list of all staff who were ‘assigned at any time to investigations and/or prosecutions’ relating to the January 6th riots." The attorneys general describe this as potentially being "a purge of FBI employees."
They stress that understanding Patel's intentions regarding this list is crucial before proceeding with his confirmation. They warn that removing over 6,000 FBI agents and staff could severely impact public safety nationwide.
Additionally, the letter criticizes other actions by the Trump administration perceived as attacks on law enforcement, including firing United States Attorneys, pardoning rioters involved in violence against Capitol Police Officers, and attempting to cut funding for law enforcement.
The coalition insists Congress must question administration officials about pardoning Capitol rioters and attempts to dismiss cases against them. They cite concerns from at least one judge about how such dismissals could harm public safety.
Attorney General Mayes calls on Congress to take action against measures perceived as threats to national security by holding the administration accountable, starting with requiring Patel's testimony on these issues before confirming him as FBI Director.
Joining Arizona in sending this letter are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.