FBI Director Kash Patel found himself in a heated confrontation with Democratic lawmakers during a congressional hearing on Wednesday, facing intense questioning about the Jeffrey Epstein files and President Donald Trump’s connection to them. The House Judiciary Committee hearing turned chaotic as Patel repeatedly avoided giving direct answers about whether he had informed Attorney General Pam Bondi that Trump’s name appeared in the Epstein documents.
The confrontation reached its peak when Representative Eric Swalwell pressed Patel nine times on a simple yes or no question about Trump’s name in the files. Instead of answering directly, Patel deflected and eventually launched into personal attacks against Swalwell. The FBI director accused the congressman of having a “fixation on this matter” and making “baseless accusations” about hiding information related to child trafficking cases.
Patel’s behavior during the hearing showed what appeared to be a public guilty freak out episode when pressed about the president’s connection to the Epstein files. The director became increasingly agitated as questioning continued, ultimately telling Swalwell, “I’m going to borrow your terminology and call bullshit on your entire career in Congress. It has been a disgrace to the American people.”
Background reveals mounting pressure over Epstein files
The hearing comes after months of controversy over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files. Multiple news reports in July revealed that Attorney General Pam Bondi had briefed Trump in May that his name appeared in the Justice Department’s documents related to the convicted sex offender. However, when asked directly about this briefing, Trump denied being told his name was in the files, creating a contradiction that has followed the administration for months.
Wow, he didn't want to go on record for yes or no on whether he told the AG that Trump's name is in the Epstein files. If says yes he implicates and makes Trump angry. If he says no he will eventually get follow up that he lied under oath.
— Early Aotearoa New Zealand (@ZealandEarly) September 18, 2025
The Justice Department concluded in July that there was no evidence of a client list and announced it would not release additional files, citing the protection of victims’ identities and the presence of child exploitation materials in the documents. This decision sparked backlash from Trump supporters who had expected the administration to deliver on promises of transparency regarding the Epstein investigation.
Democratic lawmakers used Wednesday’s hearing to highlight what they see as a cover-up by the Trump administration. Representative Jamie Raskin questioned how Patel went from being “a crusader for accountability and transparency for the Epstein files to being a part of the conspiracy and cover up.” The heated exchanges demonstrated the political stakes surrounding the files and the pressure on Patel to provide answers while protecting the president.
Patel’s position as FBI director has already faced significant scrutiny due to his previous controversial handling of high-profile cases. Critics have questioned his qualifications and approach to leading the bureau, with some intelligence officials describing his leadership style as creating chaos within the organization. Wednesday’s hearing performance may add to concerns about his ability to handle the pressures that come with leading the nation’s top law enforcement agency.
