A heated exchange between Senator Adam Schiff and FBI director nominee Kash Patel during a confirmation hearing ignited social media, particularly among conservatives who perceived Patel as the victor. The debate centered on a song about the January 6th Capitol riot inmates and Patel's involvement in its production.
Schiff questioned Patel's previous testimony denying any connection to the song's recording, citing a podcast interview with Steve Bannon where Patel described the process of capturing audio, having former President Trump recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and then professionally recording and releasing it as a song.
The crux of the argument revolved around the meaning of "we" in Patel's description. Schiff asserted that Patel's use of "we" implied his personal involvement, while Patel maintained that "we" didn't always include him, stating he hadn't participated in the recording or mastering process. Schiff pressed Patel on this apparent contradiction, questioning if Patel's earlier statements were misleading. Patel retorted that his use of "we" was appropriate.
During the hearing, Patel insisted he was using "we" correctly, while Schiff accused him of promoting the song. Patel responded that he promoted fundraising for families in need. Schiff also questioned whether an FBI director who promoted a song about individuals who assaulted law enforcement would be fit for the position. Patel firmly stated his suitability for the role.
The exchange drew strong reactions. Former DNI Director Richard Grenell criticized Schiff on X (formerly Twitter), accusing him of being partisan and petty. Other commentators echoed this sentiment, questioning the Democrats' credibility and expressing astonishment at the focus on the song. Schiff, however, claimed victory, asserting on X that Patel had raised money for insurrectionists who attacked law enforcement and couldn't defend his actions when confronted.
The hearing also featured other tense exchanges. Democrats scrutinized Patel's record, including statements from his book, "Government Gangsters." Patel denounced what he called "grotesque" attacks and defended his service to the nation, asserting that accusations of political bias were unfair.
