FBI Director Kash Patel sparred with a Democratic lawmaker who pressed him on whether the bureau should investigate the leak of a Signal group chat in which Trump administration officials discussed airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen. The question about the Signal conversation arose during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on “worldwide threats,” where Patel testified alongside Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
“Do you believe that it is now time, potentially, for the FBI to open an investigation into this?” Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) asked. Without hesitating a moment, Patel replied, “I’m not going to comment on that.” Houlahan shot back, “Because you’re the director of the FBI, you don’t believe it’s appropriate to comment on that?”
In his response, Patel mentioned that efforts to address the Signal controversy are ongoing. He referenced a lawsuit filed by American Oversight, which alleges that the Trump administration officials involved in the chat violated the Federal Records Act. “Because there’s a process in place,” Patel said. “There’s ongoing litigation. The National Security Council is reviewing this matter, and I’m not going to discuss any open or closed investigations.”
In her response, Houlahan said, “That ongoing investigation literally — the lawsuit happened today or yesterday afternoon, and the idea that you don’t have an opinion on this at this point is frustrating to me.” Patel retorted, “No, it’s not.” As Houlahan attempted to cut him off and as the two spoke over each other, Patel added, “I’m not going to prejudge any matter, and the men and women of the FBI will call the balls and strikes. Not you.”
Houlahan repeatedly insisted that she was “reclaiming my time” as she attempted to ask one “final question,” but to no avail. Once Patel finished his statement, she turned to House Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) for support, who told her she had four seconds left. “No, I have more than that!” she tried to protest, before Crawford counted down the short time left, banged his gavel, and moved on.
