FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to testify regarding the Bureau’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the ongoing investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The hearing quickly turned contentious, with Patel clashing with Democratic members of the committee.
During his opening remarks, Patel sharply criticized Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of undermining the integrity of congressional oversight and avoiding accountability on matters of national importance.
His statement set the tone for a hearing that saw repeated confrontations.
At one point, Patel directly challenged [1] Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), delivering some of the most heated remarks of the session.
“I’m gonna borrow from your terminology and call bullshit on your entire career in Congress. It has been a disgrace to the American people!” Patel told Swalwell.
JUST IN: FBI Director Kash Patel excoriates Dem Rep. Eric Swalwell, says his entire career in Congress has been “bullsh*t.”
“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/67QJWnIGCM [2]
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 17, 2025 [3]
The exchange drew immediate reaction inside the committee room and quickly circulated on social media.
Swalwell has long faced criticism over his ties to Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, a Chinese national who cultivated relationships with multiple U.S. politicians.
Intelligence officials concluded that Fang worked on behalf of Beijing’s security services while engaging with American political figures.
Fang’s ties to Swalwell dated back to 2012, when she served as a fundraiser, or “bundler,” for his campaign.
Reports later indicated she had developed an intimate relationship with the congressman.
#BREAKING [4] EXCLUSIVE: Eric Swalwell PANICS when I ask about his Chinese spy girlfriend Fang Fang, and whether that’s a bigger “national security threat” than Elon Musk
I sat next to a drunk Swalwell at dinner for 90 minutes. He was IMMEDIATELY compromised by a group of… pic.twitter.com/DeZg3EJphW [5]
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 25, 2025 [6]
Although Swalwell has denied wrongdoing, the controversy raised concerns about potential security risks.
Despite the scandal, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi reappointed Swalwell to the House Intelligence Committee, giving him access to sensitive classified information.
That decision drew criticism from Republicans who argued that his continued presence on the committee jeopardized national security.
When Republicans regained control of the House, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy moved to remove Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee, citing the security concerns.
“If you got the briefing I got from the FBI, you wouldn’t have Swalwell on any committee,” McCarthy said at the time.
Patel’s testimony before the Judiciary Committee extended beyond Swalwell, as lawmakers pressed him on both the Epstein case files and the details surrounding the Kirk assassination investigation.
Patel said the Bureau had dedicated significant resources to both matters, while Republicans on the committee questioned whether political considerations had interfered in past investigations.
The focus on Epstein’s files follows longstanding public demands for greater transparency regarding individuals who may have been connected to the late financier.
Patel assured the committee that the FBI was continuing its review and that additional materials would be released in accordance with federal law and investigative standards.
On the Kirk assassination, Patel described the case as a top priority for the Bureau, citing the immediate security concerns tied to the suspect and the broader implications for political violence in the United States.
He noted that federal, state, and local agencies were coordinating closely to ensure a comprehensive investigation.
The hearing concluded with Republicans praising Patel’s direct responses, while Democrats criticized his exchanges with their members.