Washington, D.C. — The second day of Senate Judiciary Committee hearings featuring FBI Director Kash Patel saw tempers flare in sharp exchanges between Patel and Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell. What began as routine oversight quickly turned into a bonfire of harsh criticism and pointed attacks.
During the hearing, Swalwell questioned Patel over what he described as a pattern of dangerous politicization within the FBI—citing personnel firings, handling of investigations, and public statements. Swalwell alleged that Patel was using his Office to settle political scores, undermining the bureau’s integrity.
In response, Patel struck back fiercely. Borrowing from Swalwell’s own style, Patel said, “I’m gonna borrow your terminology and call bullshit on your entire career in Congress.” He continued, “It has been a disgrace to the American people.”
Swalwell cried to the chairman about being insulted by Patel.
“Mr. Chairman, are you going to allow a witness to speak this way? Mr. Chairman, would you excuse yourself? Mr. Chairman, would you admonish the witness not to insult members? Mr. Chairman, just a quick point of order. Could the gentleman be extended an additional 20 seconds to complete his thoughts, since the witness decided to interrupt him continuously? And the witness will be able to respond if he wants.”
My question is will you, Director, recuse yourself, yes or no, from investigating or making decisions about the 60 individuals, including myself, that you identified as government gangsters? Yes or no?
It’s Swalwell’s turn to get a spanking …
“I’m gonna borrow your terminology and call bullshit on your entire career in Congress.”
“It has been a disgrace to the American people.” pic.twitter.com/vlfJnqReQL
— thedailybs w/ Snerdley (@thedailybs_Bo) September 17, 2025
You mean the guy who had a Chinese spy living in his house?
“There is a certain poetic justice in the news that Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) had a close relationship with an alleged Chinese spy, Christine Fang. Swalwell was one of the most prominent purveyors of the now-disproven conspiracy theory that Donald Trump had colluded with Russian intelligence to steal the 2016 election. Yet it turns out that all the while Swalwell was spreading those lies, he knew that he had been cultivated and funded by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative.”