Patel Blames Pelosi, Schumer For Capitol Riot During Contentious Hearing
President Donald Trump’s FBI director nominee, Kash Patel, laid waste to the Democrat narrative regarding events ahead of the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol Building during a contentious hearing in the Senate earlier this week.
The nominee battled with several Democrat senators during the hearing, but his most telling revelation came when he spoke to a much friendlier Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Patel blamed former Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York for the trespassing that occurred on that day, claiming she was told about the dangers.
“Days in advance we were in the Oval Office on an unrelated national security matter with the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and myself, and the President authorized up to 20,000-plus National Guard men and women to secure any security measures necessarily related to the capital. We were moving to the fullest extent of the law before the requisite request came from a local governing authority days ahead of time,” Patel said during testimony.
“What were you doing on that day?” Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz asked.
“On that day, specifically, responding to, preparing to mobilize and employ the National Guard once we got the lawful request from the local governing authority, which was the mayor of DC and the Speaker of the House,” Patel responded.
“While you were Chief of Staff at DOD, how many times did DOD approach Capitol Police and ask if they needed National Guard assistance?” Cruz asked.
“I believe those letters are well-documented. Numerous instances, and numerous of those instances, those requests were shut down,” the nominee responded.
“Now, am I correct that the Capital Sergeant at Arms said assistance was unnecessary?” Cruz asked.
“That’s correct, Senator,” Patel answered.
“Who did the Sergeant at Arms report to?” the senator inquired.
“The speaker of the House,” Patel responded.
“That would have been Nancy Pelosi at the time. Is that correct?” Cruz pressed.
“Yes, Senator,” Patel said.
“Would that also be Chuck Schumer, then the Senate Majority Leader?” the senator said.
“The Sergeant at Arms, yes, Senator, reports up there,” the nominee replied.
Patel, meanwhile, was in high spirits after he was grilled by lawmakers this week.
The nominee walked out of the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing late on Thursday night and told reporters that “it was a fantastic day” when asked how he thought the process was going.
The hearing got particularly heated when he got into a tense back-and-forth with Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar when she tried to smear him as being unqualified.
“Simply this: if the best attacks on me are going to be false accusations and grotesque mischaracterizations, the only thing this body is doing is defeating the credibility of the men and women at the FBI. I STOOD with them, here in this country, in every theater of war we have – I was on the ground in service,” Patel said.
“And any accusations that I would put political bias before the Constitution are grotesquely unfair and I will have you reminded I have been endorsed by over 300,000 law enforcement officers to become the next director of the FBI. Let’s ask them,” he added.
Patel rejected Democrats taking his old comments out of context to “score cheap political points.”
“In the collective, all of those statements are taken out of grotesque context,” he said.
Patel accused his critics of “intentionally putting false information into the public ether and creating more public discourse. “The only thing that will matter if I am confirmed as director of the FBI is a de-weaponized, depoliticized system of law enforcement completely devoted to rigorous obedience of the Constitution and a singular standard of justice,” he told the Senate panel.
20 Minutes ago in Maryland, Pat Sajak was confirmed as…See more - Read Updated
20 Minutes ago in Maryland, Pat Sajak was confirmed as…See more
Just 20 minutes ago, heartbreaking news emerged from Maryland confirming the passing of Pat Sajak, the iconic Wheel of Fortune host who entertained millions for over four decades. Details surrounding his death remain unclear, but sources close to his family have confirmed the tragic news. Sajak, who recently retired from his legendary role on the game show, was known for his quick wit, charm, and enduring presence in American television. Fans and colleagues are in shock, struggling to process the sudden loss of a beloved entertainment figure.
Sajak’s daughter, Maggie, and longtime co-host Vanna White are said to be devastated by the news. Tributes have already begun pouring in from celebrities, former contestants, and fans who grew up watching him spin the wheel every night. His career spanned more than 40 years, making him one of the most recognizable faces in TV history. Just months after stepping down from Wheel of Fortune, this unexpected passing has left the entertainment world reeling, with many remembering his final emotional farewell episode.
No official cause of death has been released, though some reports suggest a possible medical emergency. Sajak had been active on social media in recent weeks, sharing lighthearted posts, making his sudden departure even more difficult to comprehend. Networks and fellow TV personalities are expected to release statements soon, honoring his incredible legacy. Wheel of Fortune, the show he helmed for generations, will never be the same without his signature humor and warmth.
As the world processes this devastating news, fans are sharing their favorite memories of Sajak’s iconic moments on screen. From his playful banter with contestants to his effortless hosting skills, his impact on television is immeasurable. Tributes will undoubtedly continue to flood in as more details emerge. For now, the entertainment community and viewers worldwide mourn the loss of a true legend.
RINOS Just Got Rolled By Trump-Backed Senators - President Gets His Way Again
South Carolina Senate Advances GOP Redistricting Trump Wants
The South Carolina Senate took a major step Saturday toward approving a White House-backed congressional map aimed at flipping the state’s only Democratic-held U.S. House seat, though the final vote remains days away as legal concerns intensify from both Democrats and some Republicans.
In a 27-17 vote, senators tentatively approved the proposed map, putting it on a possible path to becoming law sometime after early voting begins Tuesday morning.
The legislation still requires another procedural vote Tuesday to limit debate again, which could allow the bill to reach the governor’s desk by the middle of the week.
That timing has fueled fierce criticism from Democrats, who argue lawmakers are effectively changing election rules while voters are already casting ballots.
Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto blasted the process.
“A yes vote will be to disenfranchise voters standing in line at the polls at the very time that vote will be taken,” Hutto said.
The fight is not breaking neatly along party lines.
Several Republican senators have openly warned the aggressive push could backfire legally and politically.
Sen. Chip Campsen, a Republican who helped draw South Carolina’s current congressional map, urged colleagues not to abandon district lines that already survived review by both state and federal courts.
“Why am I convinced the state Supreme Court will strike this down? It will be the process,” Campsen said.
“We have signed, sealed, delivered, unassailable congressional districts and we’re about to pass something the most assailable, most egregious because there’s nothing to it. I don’t even know who drew these maps,” he said.
“We’re going to throw it away, and we’re going to lose,” he said. “This will blow up in our face.”
The effort comes after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, prompting Republican-led states to revisit district lines.
Supporters of the South Carolina redraw argue the 6th Congressional District, held by Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, should be reconfigured.
They say the current setup unfairly preserves a Democratic stronghold.
Opponents counter that South Carolina’s circumstances are entirely different.
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s existing map in 2024, ruling the disputed line drawing between the 1st and 6th districts was partisan rather than racial.
That decision gave Republicans a legal victory by preserving their advantage in the coastal 1st District.
Now critics argue lawmakers are risking that stability for a rushed political gamble.
Saturday’s debate also triggered an unusual procedural controversy.
Lawmakers initially voted to continue debate Sunday, sparking backlash over forcing the Senate into session on the Lord’s Day.
Sen. Darrell Jackson, a Democrat and pastor, delivered one of the chamber’s most emotional speeches.
“I need someone to help me understand why such a hyper-partisan situation” is worthy of disrupting worship and family time, Jackson said.
He noted he was scheduled to preach three services Sunday.
“I hope you guys can live with yourself,” he added.
Republican Sen. Richard Cash agreed.
“We’re not in a state of emergency,” Cash said. “I certainly agree with you, Sunday is a day set apart for the worship of God.”
After internal discussions, senators reversed course and avoided Sunday and Monday sessions.
Still, the practical timeline remains largely unchanged, as early voting begins Tuesday.
Thousands of absentee ballots have already been returned.
Under the proposal, congressional primaries would be delayed until August. Other statewide and legislative races would remain on the current schedule.
Ballots for June 9 primaries will still list congressional candidates, but those portions would be voided if the new map becomes law.
Democrats are now urging voters to cast ballots immediately in hopes that higher early participation makes implementation more difficult.
“These votes on Tuesday matter more than they ever have before,” Sen. Jeffrey Graham said, News From The States reported.
“Everyone needs to use their right to vote,” he noted.
Even Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey has warned that an all-out push to create a fully Republican congressional delegation could produce unintended consequences.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
