Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(162,545 posts)
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:24 PM Sep 17

Kash Patel Melts Down In Congressional Hearing When Asked About Trump's Name Being In the Epstein Files

Source: MEDIAite

Sep 17th, 2025, 1:36 pm


Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and FBI Director Kash Patel sparred during a heated House hearing exchange on the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday. Swalwell repeatedly pushed Patel about whether or not President Donald Trump was given notice that his name is in the files, as has been reported, resulting in Patel attacking Swalwell’s time in office.

Swalwell began by asking, “Director, the first time you saw Donald Trump’s name was in the Epstein files. Did you close the files or keep reading?” “I have not reviewed the entirety of the files,” Patel hit back. “You haven’t reviewed all of the Epstein files?” Swalwell pushed. “Personally, no,” Patel replied. “You’re the director of the FBI. This is the largest sex trafficking case the FBI has ever been a part of. The buck stops at the top, and your testimony today is you have not reviewed all of the files?” Swalwell asked.

Patel hit back, “What I’ve been doing is busy providing the safest country this country has seen in modern U.S. history in historic speed, because the men and women of the FBI are given the resources to reduce the homicide rate, to reduce the drug trafficking rate, to reduce the number of children that are being trafficked, and the number of pedophiles that we’ve arrested.”

Swalwell replied, “Well, it sounds like those children being trafficked would appreciate the director reviewing the files.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/kash-patel-melts-down-in-congressional-hearing-when-asked-about-trumps-name-being-in-the-epstein-files/

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kash Patel Melts Down In Congressional Hearing When Asked About Trump's Name Being In the Epstein Files (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Sep 17 OP
For entertainment do a google search for epstein/trump hats, mugs, shirts, whatever. I'm not buying but they are great. twodogsbarking Sep 17 #1
For entertainment only. progressoid Sep 17 #6
Lie. Patel diverted 20% of FBI agents to immigration, AWAY FROM child trafficking, drugs, and homicides. . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz Sep 17 #2
His inexperience and ignorance showed tonekat Sep 17 #3
Imho,it's a feature,not a bug . BattleRow Sep 17 #9
When I watch Patel talking I can't help but think of "mealy mouthed". erronis Sep 17 #4
Well Mr. patel... you certainly have reduced the rate and the number of pedophiles that we've arrested. Torchlight Sep 17 #5
That was very interesting! ShazzieB Sep 17 #7
Pace University Jilly_in_VA Sep 17 #8
Trump teaches all of his toadies Mblaze Sep 17 #10
How long do you all think this toadie will last? fujiyamasan Sep 17 #11
He will last until the Eppy files are "found." 3Hotdogs Sep 17 #12
I don't think Patel would release them willingly fujiyamasan Sep 17 #15
I watched the video and Swalwell was following Sun Tzu's advice nuxvomica Sep 17 #13
Sounded just like the shit tsf says all the time. KS Toronado Sep 17 #14
I am reminded of Clarence Thomas's testimony with witness Anita Hill --- "it is a high tech lynching" erronis Sep 17 #16
Ever notice he knows right where the cameras are and looks to them about every 10th word whilst spewing shit? n/t Cheezoholic Sep 17 #17
Must protect orange god. Must protect or... republianmushroom Sep 17 #18

twodogsbarking

(16,450 posts)
1. For entertainment do a google search for epstein/trump hats, mugs, shirts, whatever. I'm not buying but they are great.
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:43 PM
Sep 17

progressoid

(52,240 posts)
6. For entertainment only.
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 04:07 PM
Sep 17

I had to remove a Dem sticker from my car because it kept getting keyed.

I imagine wearing something like that in public would get a worse response from the MAGA cult.

Bernardo de La Paz

(59,965 posts)
2. Lie. Patel diverted 20% of FBI agents to immigration, AWAY FROM child trafficking, drugs, and homicides. . . . nt
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:48 PM
Sep 17

tonekat

(2,391 posts)
3. His inexperience and ignorance showed
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:54 PM
Sep 17

This is what happens when the unfit are appointed, they are easily overwhelmed by the duties of the office.

erronis

(21,790 posts)
4. When I watch Patel talking I can't help but think of "mealy mouthed".
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 03:54 PM
Sep 17

The mush that comes out is disgusting. Are they (rfkjr, hegsbreath, bondi, noem, etc.) all getting drivel pumped into a cochlear implant? Who is translating from russian to maga-speak?

The other metaphor involves seeing the inside of a cottonmouth snake...


Torchlight

(6,022 posts)
5. Well Mr. patel... you certainly have reduced the rate and the number of pedophiles that we've arrested.
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 04:03 PM
Sep 17

Odd tell, little man.

ShazzieB

(21,893 posts)
7. That was very interesting!
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 04:14 PM
Sep 17

First of all, kudos to Rep. Swalwell for being brilliant as usual!

Second, I wouldn't call Patel's behavior a meltdown so much as an overgrown toddler throwing a temper tantrum. But whatever terminology is used to descrbe this "performance," he certainly succeeded in showing his entire ass to the world.

fujiyamasan

(821 posts)
11. How long do you all think this toadie will last?
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 04:48 PM
Sep 17

He’s embarrassed himself with both Swallwell and Booker. He’s already also bungled the killing of their martyr and saint.

The other thing going against him is he’s not white, so they can throw him to the curb and act like he was a DEI hire. He’s been loyal though. If he’s lucky he can be ambassador to like Bangladesh. To the administration it’s all the same anyways.

My guess is Loomer is already whispering. Maybe she’s next in line!

fujiyamasan

(821 posts)
15. I don't think Patel would release them willingly
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 05:41 PM
Sep 17

If there’s a leak, he’s screwed.

I don’t think he has much else going for him. He basically worships Trump and Trump knows that. He’s not as slick as Bondi, and she has the blonde thing going for her. She’s probably golden and I don’t think she has the hang ups Barr did, like when he refused to state the election was “stollen”.

Patel is a dufus, he’ll be tossed to the side soon enough. I also don’t think he’s as good of a liar as several others in the administration (like Rubio who is also a skilled politician), at least as far as lying consistently and being disciplined about it. I keep wondering who’s worse. Patel or day drunk Hegseth in that regard.

nuxvomica

(13,730 posts)
13. I watched the video and Swalwell was following Sun Tzu's advice
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 05:18 PM
Sep 17

He remained calm while Kash become increasingly more upset, resorting to profanity and personal attack. This is classic Art of War stuff: when arguing, strive to become more calm and this will cause your opponent to become more riled up. It's a non-intuitive trick that I have used myself to the point of getting my opponent red faced and shaking. This was apparently a hair-raising experience for Kash unless he's deliberately styling his hair to look like a 20-year-old frat boy. Jeesh, he's the head of our FBI? Let that sink in.

erronis

(21,790 posts)
16. I am reminded of Clarence Thomas's testimony with witness Anita Hill --- "it is a high tech lynching"
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 06:15 PM
Sep 17

Realizing that Patel is actually an Aryan with dark skin but still probably not a real brother to the RW fanatics.

Cheezoholic

(3,421 posts)
17. Ever notice he knows right where the cameras are and looks to them about every 10th word whilst spewing shit? n/t
Wed Sep 17, 2025, 07:04 PM
Sep 17
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Kash Patel Melts Down In ...