FBI Director Kash Patel delivered a sharply worded rebuke to Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff during Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight of the bureau, creating a moment that quickly drew widespread attention.
The exchange came shortly after Schiff criticized the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Patel responded with a forceful critique of the California Democrat, highlighting a long-standing clash over the agency’s work and past political controversies.
“What I am doing is protecting this country by providing historic reform and combating the weaponization of intelligence by the likes of you,” Patel said, framing his remarks as part of broader efforts to restore integrity and accountability within the FBI.
He continued by referencing high-profile disputes involving Schiff, including the Russia investigation and the January 6 Capitol attack inquiry. “And we have countlessly proven you to be a liar in Russiagate, in January 6,” Patel said, directly challenging the senator’s credibility.
Patel concluded his remarks with one of the harshest critiques of the hearing: “You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward.”
The confrontation, marked by Patel’s direct and uncompromising language, underscored the deep partisan tensions surrounding the FBI’s oversight and reinforced the growing visibility of Patel’s approach to leading the bureau. Observers noted the exchange as one of the more dramatic moments in recent Senate committee hearings, highlighting both the contentious relationship between Congress and the FBI and the broader debate over accountability in federal law enforcement.
JUST IN: FBI Director Kash Patel calls Democrat Adam Schiff the "biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate" to his face.
"You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward."
"I'm not… pic.twitter.com/QFVJqbLtYq
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 16, 2025
During the hearing, as Sen. Adam Schiff attempted to respond, Patel repeatedly cut him off, delivering a scathing critique of the California Democrat’s record. He accused Schiff of promoting false narratives and politically motivated attacks.
“I’m not surprised that you continue to lie from your perch and put on a show, so you can go raise money for your charade,” Patel said. “You are a political buffoon at best.”
Patel framed his comments within the context of broader reforms at the FBI. “We are bringing historic reform [to the FBI],” he stated, “but all you care about is a child sex predator that was prosecuted by a prior administration.”
He further criticized previous Justice Department actions—or inactions—under both the Obama and Biden administrations, contrasting them with measures taken during the Trump administration. “The Obama Justice Department and the Biden Justice Department did squat. And what did President Trump do? Bring new charges, courageously,” Patel asserted.
At one point during the exchange, Schiff’s microphone unexpectedly went silent, cutting off his response and leaving Patel’s remarks unchallenged.
Observers noted that Patel’s rebuke highlighted longstanding partisan tensions over investigations such as the Russia-collusion probe, which Schiff had prominently promoted, and underscored the ongoing debate about accountability and politicization within federal law enforcement oversight.
Critics of the Russia-collusion investigation have long argued that the federal probe drained tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds, resources that some contend could have been allocated to other priorities. The investigation also complicated President Donald Trump’s first-term initiatives, drawing attention and scrutiny away from his broader policy agenda.
Even among those critical of the FBI’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, many observers agree with Director Kash Patel’s pointed assessment of Sen. Adam Schiff. Patel’s comments underscored a widespread perception among certain lawmakers and commentators that Schiff’s past actions—particularly regarding the Russia-collusion claims—have undermined his credibility, casting him as both a polarizing and controversial figure in contemporary U.S. politics.