Kash Patel faces senators in annual FBI oversight hearing

FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 15, 2026, in an annual hearing examining the agency’s work. The hearing lasted nearly five hours and included questions from Democratic and Republican senators about FBI policies, resources and recent actions.

Patel also faced questions about an Olympic celebration and investigations ordered by President Trump. He defended the FBI’s record, saying the murder rate had fallen to a 20-year low and that all 10 people on the agency’s most-wanted list had been apprehended during his tenure.

Hiring standards and election materials

Senators questioned Patel about a CBS News report that the FBI had changed hiring standards involving conduct that previously disqualified applicants, including acts of bestiality. Patel said the policy was intended to avoid punishing people who had been victimized or trafficked.

Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California asked Patel whether the FBI planned to use personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials during the upcoming midterm elections. Patel said the agency had no such plans.

Artificial intelligence and FBI funding

Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri asked what the FBI needs to respond to possible attacks involving artificial intelligence. Patel said the agency needs additional funding to buy technology and examine large language models used with criminal intent.

Patel said technology companies had cooperated with FBI requests but that those relationships were not a substitute for federal funding. He also distinguished between people who lawfully create AI systems and criminals who alter or use those systems to commit crimes.