FBI Director Kash Patel fired back after Sen. Cory Booker accused him of being a failed leader.
The exchange happened Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.
Booker’s Attack
Booker told Patel that his leadership had made Americans more vulnerable.
He claimed Patel was “not fit to lead the bureau.”
The senator predicted Patel would soon be replaced by President Trump.
Booker said, “This may be the last time I have a hearing with you.”
Patel Responds
Patel rejected the accusations and called them a “rant of false information.”
He told Booker, “That does not bring this country together.”
When Booker accused Patel of making divisive social media posts, Patel pushed back strongly.
“It’s my time,” Patel said as Booker tried to talk over him.
“You are an embarrassment to the division in this country,” Patel added.
Grassley Intervenes
Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley had to step in to restore order.
Grassley reminded senators that Patel was entitled to respond without interruption.
He used his gavel and called for both sides to respect the agreement.
Watch the Video
Corey Booker accused FBI Director Kash Patel of being a failed leader: “This might be the last time I have a hearing with you, cause I don’t think you’re long for your job.”
Patel was having NONE OF IT.
“If the FBI under my seven month leadership were failing…why do we… pic.twitter.com/2rCOjcoxci
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 16, 2025
FBI Achievements
Patel listed statistics to counter Booker’s charges of failure.
He said 23,000 violent felons had been arrested this year, double last year’s pace.
The bureau also seized 6,000 weapons, arrested 1,500 child predators, and jailed 300 human traffickers.
Agents recovered 4,700 missing children and seized 1,600 kilograms of fentanyl.
Countering Foreign Threats
Patel pointed to record arrests in counterintelligence cases.
He said arrests tied to China were up 33 percent, Russia 83 percent, and Iran 60 percent.
Patel concluded by asking how such results could be called a failure.
