During a tense Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel firmly dismissed concerns from Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii regarding the physical fitness requirements for prospective FBI field agents, specifically the so-called “harsh pull-up” standard.
Hirono questioned whether the agency’s expectations were fair to female applicants, citing physiological differences. “One question I had is that you are now requiring applicants to be able to do a certain kind of pull-ups, which a lot of women cannot because of physiological differences. Are you requiring these kinds of pull-ups?” she asked.
Patel responded by emphasizing the demands of fieldwork for FBI agents. “We are requiring a physical program at BFTC [Basic Field Training Course] at Quantico because FBI agents carrying guns in the field have to chase down bad guys and do really hard work,” he said.
The Basic Field Training Course, or BFTC, spans 18 weeks and covers an array of rigorous topics designed to prepare agents for field assignments. Training includes firearms proficiency, defensive tactics, interview and interrogation techniques, and human intelligence operations, among other skills.
Hirono pressed further, repeating her question on the pull-up requirement. Patel clarified that the agency mandates all applicants meet the 1811 standards of BFTC.
The 1811 standards, set by the Office of Personnel Management, define the physical fitness benchmarks for federal criminal investigators, including those in law enforcement positions requiring fieldwork. While these standards apply to field agents, not every position within the FBI carries the same physical requirements.
Patel’s exchange with Hirono highlights ongoing scrutiny over the balance between rigorous law enforcement training and efforts to ensure equitable access for all applicants, a debate that has intensified in recent years as federal agencies confront both staffing needs and diversity goals.
Patel did not waver in defending the physical standards. “If you want to chase down a bad guy and put him in handcuffs, you better be able to do a pull-up,” he said, underscoring the practical demands faced by field agents.
Hirono pushed back, raising broader concerns about whether the ability to perform “harsh pull-ups” should be a requirement for all FBI agents. “There are concerns about whether or not being able to do these kinds of harsh pull-ups is really required of FBI agents,” she said.
Patel responded with a pointed clarification. “Doing one pull-up is not harsh,” he said, adding that the agency provides medical exemptions for applicants unable to meet certain physical standards.
The FBI’s website outlines the full requirements for its Physical Fitness Test for special agents, which vary by age and gender. Applicants must achieve a minimum combined score of 12 points across five events: sit-ups, a 300-meter sprint, push-ups, a 1.5-mile run, and pull-ups. These benchmarks are designed to ensure that agents are prepared for the physical challenges inherent in law enforcement duties.
Candidates for the FBI’s special agent program must also meet minimum standards in each component of the Physical Fitness Test. That means earning at least one point in each of the five events: sit-ups, 300-meter sprint, push-ups, 1.5-mile run, and pull-ups. For women, this translates to performing at least one pull-up, while men must complete a minimum of two.
The hearing quickly expanded beyond fitness requirements. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey sharply criticized Patel’s leadership, labeling him a “failure.” “I believe you’re failing as a leader, and that your failure does have serious implications for the safety and security of Americans and our families,” Booker said. “We’re more vulnerable to domestic and foreign attacks because of your failures of leadership. I don’t think you’re fit to lead the bureau.”
Patel fired back with a detailed defense, citing a series of operational accomplishments under his tenure. He highlighted that the FBI had arrested 23,000 violent felons this year alone—a figure he described as double the number from the same period last year. The director also pointed to 6,000 weapons seized, 1,500 child predators apprehended, 300 human traffickers jailed, 4,700 missing children recovered, and 1,600 kilograms of fentanyl confiscated, representing a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
Through these statistics, Patel sought to counter claims that the bureau’s effectiveness and national security mission were compromised under his leadership, presenting the data as evidence of ongoing operational success despite political scrutiny.
Corey Booker accused FBI Director Kash Patel of being a failed leader: "This might be the last time I have a hearing with you, cause I don’t think you’re long for your job."
Patel was having NONE OF IT.
"If the FBI under my seven month leadership were failing…why do we… pic.twitter.com/2rCOjcoxci
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 16, 2025
Patel’s firm stance against both Hirono and Booker underscores his determination to maintain strict standards and assert control over the bureau’s direction.
Supporters argue that his leadership signals a shift in focus, moving the FBI back toward its core mission of law enforcement and public safety, rather than becoming entangled in politically charged investigations. Under Patel, the agency appears to be refocusing on combating crime and addressing threats to national security, aiming to restore operational effectiveness and institutional stability.
Observers note that this renewed emphasis on the bureau’s traditional priorities could mark a turning point in the FBI’s trajectory, both in terms of its internal culture and its role in protecting Americans.