Kash Patel strongly denied accusations of maintaining an “enemies list” after Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse pressed him over allegations that 20 out of 60 people named in his book Government Gangsters had already faced “adverse actions.” Patel insisted that personnel decisions are based on merit and constitutional duty, not political retaliation. While critics argue his book outlined deep state targets, Patel rejected the characterization, claiming his opponents are misrepresenting his stance. The heated exchange raises questions about accountability, political bias, and government oversight.
00:00There have been adverse actions of various kinds taken against about 20 of the 60 people on your enemy's list.
00:09You've been in office for seven months. At that rate, you've got 14 months until you've hit all 60.
00:16Can you explain that?
00:19Again, that is an entirely inaccurate presupposition. I do not have an enemy's list.
00:24You can continue to characterize it as you wish.
00:26The only actions we take, generally speaking, for personnel at the FBI are ones based on merit and qualification and your ability to uphold your constitutional duty.
00:36You fall short. You don't work there anymore.
00:39When you were here for your confirmation, we talked about your so-called enemy's list.
00:46It appears to me that there have been adverse actions of various kinds taken against about 20 of the 60 people on your enemy's list.
01:02You've been in office for seven months. At that rate, you've got 14 months until you've hit all 60.
01:08Can you explain that?
01:12Again, that is an entirely inaccurate presupposition. I do not have an enemy's list.
01:17You can continue to characterize it as you wish.
01:19The only actions we take, generally speaking, for personnel at the FBI are ones based on merit and qualification and your ability to uphold your constitutional duty.
01:28You fall short. You don't work there anymore.
01:30Well, there was a list. You don't like it to be called an enemy's list, and it had about 60 names, and about 20 have had an adverse action.
01:38So those are, I think, pretty clear facts.
01:41When you were here for your confirmation, we talked about your so-called enemy's list.
01:51It appears to me that there have been adverse actions of various kinds taken against about 20 of the 60 people on your enemy's list.
02:06You've been in office for seven months. At that rate, you've got 14 months until you've hit all 60.
02:13Can you explain that?
02:15Again, that is an entirely inaccurate presupposition. I do not have an enemy's list.
02:20You can continue to characterize it as you wish.
02:23The only actions we take, generally speaking, for personnel at the FBI are ones based on merit and qualification and your ability to uphold your constitutional duty.
02:32You fall short. You don't work there anymore.
02:34Well, there was a list. You don't like it to be called an enemy's list, and it had about 60 names, and about 20 have had an adverse action.
02:42So those are, I think, pretty clear facts.
02:47Subscribe to One India and never miss an update.
Be the first to comment