FBI's Epstein Probe Under Scrutiny: Patel Faces Congress

FBI Director Kash Patel faced intense questioning from a U.S. House of Representatives panel, centered on his management of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. In a previous Senate hearing, Patel defended his seven-month tenure and countered criticisms from Democrats regarding his leadership of the country's foremost law enforcement agency.

The House Judiciary Committee, which includes Republican Representative Thomas Massie, a vocal critic of the Epstein probe under the Trump administration, delves into issues surrounding Patel's handling of sensitive investigative files related to Epstein, a disgraced financier who committed suicide in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Democrats and other critics have pressed Patel and top Department of Justice officials for ending the review of these files in July without full disclosure.

During Patel's Senate hearing, he indicated that the FBI held no evidence to support widespread allegations of a broader cover-up involving wealthy associates of Epstein. The Justice Department has reluctantly started transferring records to the House Oversight Committee, responding to a subpoena demanding documentation on Epstein-related investigations.