‘Not Up To The Job’: US Senator Grills FBI Director Kash Patel Over Charlie Kirk Killing Probe

Last Updated:September 16, 2025, 22:41 IST

Democrat senator Peter Welch said Patel was not cooperating with local law enforcement in the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing.

FBI Director Kash Patel listens while he testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

US Senator Peter Welch grilled Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) chief Kash Patel on Tuesday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying he is not “up to the job”, according to US broadcaster CNN.

Patel is facing criticism over his handling of the investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the firings of veteran officials. Some allies of US President Donald Trump have also questioned his leadership of the most prominent US law enforcement agency.

“He’s not up to the job. He’s putting himself first, and the fact is that there should be coordination and cooperation. And what you saw, it was kind of an overreach on the part of him, on a personal basis,” Welch, Democrat senator from the state of Vermont, was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.

Patel came under fire from current and former U.S. officials after he wrongly claimed on social media Wednesday that the shooter who killed Charlie Kirk was already in custody. The FBI later clarified that while two people had been questioned, they were released.

The real suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, was only arrested on Thursday night. The premature post added to confusion at a time of already heightened political tensions in the US.

Patel defended his tenure and pointed out that there was an increase in FBI arrests for violent crime and seizures of illegal guns.

” I’m not going anywhere. I find it disgusting anyone who jettisons our 31 years of combined experience that is now at the helm of the FBI,” Patel said referring to himself and Dan Bongino, a US Secret Service agent turned podcaster now serving as FBI deputy director.

However, US President Trump publicly defended Patel’s handling of the probe.

Dick Durbin, Illinois Democrat, also tore into Patel and said he inflicted untold damage on the FBI.

“Mr. Patel was so anxious to take credit for finding Mr. Kirk’s assassin that he violated one of the basics of effective law enforcement at a critical stage of an investigation. Director Patel has already inflicted untold damage on the FBI, putting our national security and public safety at risk,” Durbin, who is also the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee said, as proceedings began.

About the Author

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More

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