FBI Director Kash Patel faced intense scrutiny during a recent hearing with the House Judiciary Committee, where he declined to answer questions regarding President Donald Trump‘s name appearing in files related to the sex-trafficking investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Over the course of the session, Patel refused to confirm whether he had ever informed Attorney General Pam Bondi about Trump’s potential involvement, a query posed by Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell on multiple occasions.
In a confrontational atmosphere, Patel stated he had not discussed the Epstein files with Trump and avoided specifying how often the president’s name might appear in the documents. “The number is a total misleading factor,” Patel remarked, adding that he had not reviewed all the files. He emphasized, “We have not released anyone’s name in the Epstein files that has not been credible.”
Swalwell pressed for clarification, asking if Trump’s name appeared 1,000, 500, or even 100 times in the documents. Patel’s response was evasive. “I don’t know the number, but it’s not that,” he said. “My job is not to engage in political innuendo … Your fixation on this matter and baseless accusations that I’m hiding paedophiles is disgusting.”
Patel’s refusal to directly address whether he communicated with Bondi regarding Trump’s name led to significant tension in the hearing. Bondi, alongside the FBI, had previously released a memo in July stating that no credible leads remained in the Epstein case, a declaration that sparked backlash from segments of Trump’s base and led to accusations of a cover-up from Democrats.
Despite Trump’s own acknowledgment of a past social relationship with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, he later distanced himself from the convicted sex offender. The hearing revealed ongoing frustrations surrounding the Epstein investigation, with Swalwell emphasizing the lack of a direct answer from Patel. “We will take your evasiveness as consciousness of guilt,” he asserted.
Intense Interrogation on Epstein Investigation
Throughout the hearing, Patel faced not only questions from Swalwell but also inquiries from Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who referenced FBI documents summarizing interviews with Epstein’s victims. These documents, which are under the agency’s control, reportedly detail allegations against a range of high-profile individuals.
Massie highlighted that the FBI files include names of at least 20 men, including a former banking chief executive who admitted to sexual involvement with Epstein’s staff. He detailed a list that encompassed various notable figures, including a Hollywood producer, a royal prince, and several billionaires. “We know these people exist in the FBI files, the files that you control,” Massie stated.
In response, Patel admitted he had not personally reviewed those interview summaries, known as FD-302 documents, but insisted that the FBI had investigated the matter thoroughly. “Multiple authorities have looked at the entirety of what we have,” he added, asserting that there was no further credible documentation for release.
Patel’s testimony comes amid ongoing investigations and public interest in the Epstein case. He reiterated to the Senate just a day prior that there was no credible evidence suggesting Epstein trafficked girls to any other individuals. During the hearing, he also clarified that Trump was never an FBI informant.
The focus on the Epstein investigation persists, despite Trump labeling it a “dead issue” during a recent interview with NBC News. Activists projected images of Trump alongside Epstein onto Windsor Castle during his state visit to the UK, resulting in the arrest of four individuals on suspicion of malicious communications.
As discussions continue in Congress, Massie and Democratic representative Ro Khanna are attempting to compel the release of additional files through a mechanism known as a discharge petition, which requires 218 signatures to move forward. The House Oversight Committee has already disclosed over 30,000 documents obtained from the Justice Department, with more anticipated.
The investigation into Epstein remains a focal point for lawmakers, particularly in light of the ongoing legal battles involving Epstein’s former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in facilitating Epstein’s activities. Epstein himself died in jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
This ongoing saga continues to capture public attention, as lawmakers seek accountability and transparency in a case that has significant implications for powerful figures across various sectors.
