Kash Patel erupts after Cory Booker calls him 'unfit for job' during fiery Senate hearing

WASHINGTON, DC: A Senate oversight hearing on September 16 spiraled into a heated back-and-forth between Sen Cory Booker (D-NJ) and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Booker accused Patel of failing to uphold his oath and warned that his time leading the bureau could soon end. 

Cory Booker and Kash Patel's heated clash 

Booker, speaking directly to Patel, charged that the director was serving President Donald Trump instead of the Constitution.

“I don’t think you’re fit to be in the bureau, but here’s the thing, Mr Patel. I think you are not going to be around long,” Booker said. “Because as much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the Constitution of the United States of America, Donald Trump has shown us in his first term and in this term, he is not loyal to people like you. He will cut you loose," Booker said.

Booker concluded his remarks by saying he hoped Patel would still rise to the office’s demands.

“This may be the last time I have a hearing with you because I don’t think you’re long for your job. But I’m going to tell you this. I pray for you. I pray that you can step up and defend your oath, defend the Constitution, and do a much better job of defending this country,” the New Jersey senator said. 

Kash Patel fires back, says Cory Booker’s 'rant of false information' divides country

After Sen Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the committee chair, asked Patel if he wanted to respond, the FBI director delivered a pointed rebuttal. “Yes, sir. That rant of false information does not bring this country together. If you want to work on bringing this country, it’s my time, not yours,” Patel said.

When Booker tried to interject, Patel pushed back sharply. “It is my time to address your falsehoods,” Patel said, adding, “You had your time. Your time is over.”

'I am not afraid of you,' Cory Booker shouts at Kash Patel during tense exchange

The clash quickly escalated, with Booker accusing Patel of deepening divisions through his public remarks. “I follow you on your social media posts that tear this country apart,” Booker said.

“You can try all you want to not take responsibility for what you have said,” Booker added. Patel, maintaining that he was entitled to respond, repeated, “Your time is over.”

Booker shot back in frustration: “Sir, you don’t tell me my time is over! The people of New Jersey tell me what my time [is]. You can’t lecture me … I am not afraid of you! I am NOT afraid of YOU!”