Kash Patel Testifies Before Senate on FBI’s 2027 Budget Request

M. to discuss the bureau's 2027 budget request.

U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Democrats are expected to press Patel on reports that he used an FBI jet worth at least $60 million for travel to sporting events and at least one of his girlfriend’s singing performances. Patel has been serving as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since his confirmation in February 2025.

He oversees an agency with about 38,000 agents and other personnel. ” A report in The Atlantic alleged that Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences that could pose a threat to national security. Sarah Fitzpatrick wrote that Patel frequently travels with a case of bourbon to hand out at events and has gifted the bottles to FBI staff and people he meets.

Patel has criticized The Atlantic articles and sued The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick for $250 million but has not specifically denied at least some of the allegations in the two articles. Patel has denied weaponizing the bureau to aid Trump.

Brian Driscoll, a former top FBI official who served as acting FBI director while Patel was going through his Senate confirmation process, gave an interview to CNN’s Anderson Cooper.

Driscoll was fired by Patel last year. Driscoll refused to submit the names of FBI agents and analysts who worked on the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot investigations and the classified documents probe. The Jan.

6, 2021, Capitol riot occurred on January 6, 2021. ” Driscoll is suing Patel and the Trump administration for wrongful termination.