Sen. Cory Booker and FBI Director Kash Patel

Heated Exchange Between Sen. Cory Booker and FBI Director Kash Patel

On September 16, 2025, during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and FBI Director Kash Patel engaged in a fiery shouting match that drew widespread attention. The hearing, chaired by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), focused on Patel's leadership, including controversies over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, firings of FBI agents perceived as politically motivated, and the bureau's response to an assassination attempt on conservative commentator Charlie Kirk by a radical left-wing suspect. The exchange escalated when Booker accused Patel of undermining the FBI's integrity and predicted his imminent dismissal by President Donald Trump.

Key Moments from the exchange

Booker began his questioning by criticizing Patel's tenure, stating that the director had made the country "weaker and less safe" through decisions that prioritized political loyalty over constitutional duties. He specifically highlighted the firings of agents, which Democrats argued were retaliatory, and Patel's handling of high-profile investigations, including the Kirk case and Epstein-related documents.

Booker's Accusations: "Because of your failures of leadership, I don’t think you’re fit to lead the bureau. Here’s the thing, Mr. Patel, I think you’re not going to be around long. I think this might be your last full oversight hearing." Booker added, "As much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the Constitution of the United States of America, [Trump] is not loyal to people like you. He will cut you loose."

Patel's Response: Patel defended his actions, insisting that all terminations were based on evidence and that he was committed to transparency. When Booker continued pressing, Patel interrupted, saying, "That rant of false information does not bring this country together. It’s my time, not yours. My God, if you want to talk about dividing this country... You had your time. Your time is over." He accused Booker of spreading "falsehoods" and called the senator "an embarrassment" to the country.

Escalation: The two spoke over each other, with Booker retorting, "Sir, you don’t tell me my time is over! You can’t lecture me!" and "I am not afraid of you." The shouting prompted Grassley to bang his gavel to restore order, marking one of the most intense confrontations in recent Senate hearings.