Takeaways from FBI Director Kash Patel’s firey Hill testimony | CNN Politics

FBI Director Kash Patel sparred with a lawmaker briefly during a Tuesday afternoon hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee when asked about media reports alleging he drinks to excess. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, was especially pointed in his opening statement and questioning — raising concerns about Patel’s leadership and noting reports of his personal behavior, the recent firing of counterintelligence agents tasked with monitoring threats from Iran, and subpoenas recently sent to reporters. “Director Patel, I don’t care one bit about your private life,” Van Hollen said. “I don’t give a damn what you do on your own time and your own dime, unless and until it interferes with your public responsibilities.” Tuesday’s hearing focused on the top Justice Department law enforcement agencies, including the FBI; the Drug Enforcement Administration; US Marshalls; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives over their respective 2027 budget requests. Democratic lawmakers pressed Patel over reports of his alleged behavior on the job and raised questions about the FBI’s immigration- and election-related efforts. Patel consistently p