Kash Patel Shuts Down Cory Booker In Heated Capitol Hill Clash
FBI Director Kash Patel clashed with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) during a fiery Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, refusing to back down after Booker launched into a tirade attacking his leadership. The exchange ended with Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) siding with Patel and reprimanding Booker for repeated interruptions.
Booker used most of his allotted questioning time not to pose questions, but to lecture Patel and predict his downfall, accusing the FBI director of compromising the bureau’s mission and being too loyal to President Donald Trump.
“Because of your failures of leadership, I don’t think you’re fit to lead the bureau,” Booker said. “This may be the last time I have a hearing with you, because I don’t think you’re long for your job.”
Booker claimed that experienced agents were being dismissed and reassigned to support ICE operations, blaming Patel for what he called a breakdown in morale and purpose at the FBI. He went on to say that Patel was “supplicating” himself to Trump rather than honoring the Constitution.
When Booker’s time expired, Grassley gave Patel the floor to respond — and he didn’t hold back.
“Sir, that rant of false information does not bring this country together,” Patel said, before firmly adding, “It’s my time, not yours.”
Booker bristled and began interrupting again. “You’re going to lecture me about dividing this country?” he said, theatrically. He then accused Patel of making divisive posts on social media and continued talking over the witness.
Grassley intervened, banging the gavel and telling Booker to let Patel finish. “You had your time. Your time is over,” Grassley said.
“You don’t tell me my time is over,” Booker snapped back, pointing a finger at Patel. “The people of New Jersey tell me what my time is.”
Despite the outbursts, Patel resumed and listed key FBI accomplishments under his leadership, stating plainly that no “failing” director could have achieved those results. His calm but firm rebuttal earned him praise from several GOP members on the panel, while Booker sat back visibly frustrated.
Democratic Sen. Cory Booker and FBI Director Kash Patel clashed during a Senate hearing, with Booker accusing Patel of making the country “weaker and less safe.”
“That rant of false information does not bring this country together,” Patel responded. https://t.co/SoVf1ll1rm pic.twitter.com/LqCJFE4zzi
— ABC News (@ABC) September 16, 2025
The moment added to growing speculation that Democrats are seeking to undermine Patel’s credibility ahead of a wider shakeup in federal law enforcement under President Trump’s second term.