FBI Director Kash Patel faced intense scrutiny from Democrats over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s files, with some accusing him of creating a cover-up. The Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case has been a major focus during Patel’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
During the hearing, Patel was repeatedly pressed on why more documents haven’t been released, despite his promise to do so. Democrats accused him of being evasive and not taking adequate action to address the Epstein case.
The issue is particularly contentious because President Donald Trump has denied any involvement with Epstein, despite claims that he had a close relationship with the financier. Some have suggested that Trump’s proximity to Epstein could be relevant to the investigation.
FBI Director Kash Patel defended his agency’s handling of the Epstein files, stating that they have released all credible information related to the case. However, some Democrats questioned why more documents haven’t been made available to the public.
The hearing also touched on other issues, including the Charlie Kirk shooting and the FBI’s response to it. Patel took credit for helping identify the suspect in the Charlie Kirk murder, saying that his agency released video footage of the suspect after he was taken into custody.
Republicans have largely supported Patel during the hearing, praising his work on immigration enforcement and other issues. However, some Democrats have accused him of being more interested in protecting Trump’s reputation than addressing the Epstein case.
Overall, the testimony has highlighted the complex and contentious nature of the Epstein investigation, with many questions still unanswered.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/kash-patel-hearing-fbi-director-09-17-25