Des Moines Sun

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley questioned FBI Director Kash Patel during an oversight hearing in Washington, focusing on the agency’s management of several high-profile investigations and its internal accountability. The session covered topics including the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, responses to sexual misconduct among personnel, and actions to increase transparency following previous criticisms.

Grassley opened by acknowledging recent changes under Patel’s leadership: “in the short amount of time [Patel has] been Director, [he’s] corrected whistleblower retaliation and increased transparency more than any other FBI Director I’ve seen.” He also released records indicating that the FBI targeted 92 Republican organizations and individuals as part of its Arctic Frost investigation.

During questioning about the Epstein case, Grassley asked if Epstein was an intelligence asset for any government. Patel responded, “Mr. Chairman, I can only speak to the FBI, as the Director of the FBI, and Mr. Epstein was not a source for the FBI.” When asked if all records related to Epstein would be provided to Grassley’s office, Patel stated, “I will commit to providing all records I am legally permitted to do so under the court orders.” Grassley replied that broader answers were needed from across the Intelligence Community.

Grassley raised concerns about an FBI document he previously publicized which alleged evidence of a bribery scheme involving the Biden family and foreign interests. He questioned whether former Director Christopher Wray’s FBI had attempted to verify or obtain such evidence. Patel said, “Not to my knowledge, Mr. Chairman.” Grassley asserted that this matter warranted further investigation by the Bureau.

On sexual misconduct within the agency, Grassley cited nearly 300 investigations initiated between 2017-2024 and claimed prior leadership had failed in addressing such issues. He asked if Patel would ensure swift responses and victim protection; Patel replied affirmatively: “Yes, Mr. Chairman.” Regarding cooperation with private sector companies in child crimes cases, Patel noted ongoing efforts: “we can always do better with our private sector companies...I’m happy to discuss possible legislation that we can do to allow for these companies to continue.”

Addressing Afghan evacuee vetting since 2021, Grassley referenced information suggesting approximately 1,600 evacuees had ties to terrorism or derogatory information as of August 2022. While Patel could not speak for his predecessor's actions on this issue, he said his team was conducting a review: “During my tenure...we are going through the databases to make sure that no known or suspected terrorists enter this country...One of the first acts we undertook was a manhunt of one of the Abbey Gate bombers...within two weeks, we caught one of the leaders...and brought him to justice here from Pakistan.”

Grassley also discussed missing children connected with failures in federal programs for unaccompanied minors. Referring to a new interagency group established by Health and Human Services in September 2025—which includes participation from law enforcement—he asked what steps had been taken by the FBI. Patel stated: “Protecting our youth is maybe the top priority for the FBI...we’ve surged resources not just to this cell but across the nation...we have located 4,700 children in seven months since I’ve been FBI Director...a 35 percent increase from last year.”

The Arctic Frost investigation received further scrutiny after documents showed it expanded its scope toward numerous Republican groups. Asked how future politically motivated investigations would be prevented, Patel answered: “The simple answer...is the FBI will only bring cases that are based in fact and law...anyone that does otherwise will not be employed at FBI.”

Grassley pressed about access restrictions on certain sensitive files within agency databases—a system he argued impedes both congressional oversight and legal proceedings. In response, Patel said: “every single thing we can legally provide to Congress, we will,” describing efforts made under his direction to restructure file access protocols.

Concluding with questions about mishandled government records discovered outside official systems—including material relating to Special Counsel Mueller and former Director James Comey—Patel detailed ongoing processing efforts: “we found a plethora of hard drives...that were not so recorded…We are continuously processing that information...[W]e subscribe to the Records Act and commit that those records will be kept permanently at the FBI…on a rolling basis [we are] providing Congress documents that we can.”