5 Takeaways From FBI Director Kash Patel’s Senate Testimony

Patel fielded questions about the FBI’s budget, personnel, probes into deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

FBI Director Kash Patel testified during what was at times a tense hearing on Capitol Hill on Sept. 16.

During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Patel fielded questions about assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk, the FBI’s budget, its personnel, and the investigation into deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Fireworks erupted during exchanges between the FBI director and Democratic senators, who challenged Patel on his job performance.