FBI Director nominee Kash Patel fired back at Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff as he spewed several allegations about his past involvement with a song sung by the “J6 Prison Choir” during his Thursday confirmation hearing.
Schiff accused Patel of being unfit to be FBI director due to his promotion of a March 2023 song recorded by the “J6 Prison Choir” titled “Justice for All,” which consisted of defendants convicted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Patel, said he had no knowledge about the defendants’ backgrounds and said he had instead “promoted the hell out of” assisting families in need.
“Isn’t that great? People who violently attack police have a number one song thanks to you, Mr. Patel. That’s something to be really proud of,” Schiff sarcastically said. “Now you claim, Mr. Patel, you didn’t know abut any of these people in the choir, is that right?”
“I did not know about the violent offenders and I did not participate in any of the violence in and around January 6,” the nominee said.
Patel, who said he did not record the song himself, released a music video for the song on Steve Bannon’s “War Room,” which included prisoners singing the National Anthem as Trump recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The song reached No. 1 on iTunes’ top songs following its release.
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Patel immediately shot back at the senator as he challenged him to tell the Capitol police officers present in the room that he is proud of his promotion of the song, stating that he has always condemned violence against police officers and had worked alongside them throughout his entire career.
“I want you to turn around, there are Capitol police officers behind you. Take a look at them right now. Turn around … I want you to look at them, if you have the courage to look them in the eye, Mr. Patel, and tell them you’re proud of what you did,” Schiff said. “Tell them you’re proud that you raised money off of people who assaulted their colleagues, who pepper sprayed them, that beat them with poles. Tell them you’re proud of what you did, Mr. Patel. They’re right there, guarding you, tell them how proud you are.”
“That is an abject lie and you know it, I’ve never, never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement. I have worked with these men and women as you know my entire life and I did not make a single dime out of this,” Patel said. “How about you ask them if I have their backs and let’s see about that answer.”
Schiff stated that an FBI director should not promote songs recorded by individuals who committed violence against police officers and FBI agents. Patel repeatedly exclaimed he is fit for the position due to the years he has spent in public service.
The California senator then transitioned to asking Patel if he had made claims that Trump declassified the documents stored at Mar-a-Lago. Patel told the senator that Trump declassified “a large number” of materials that were later held in Mar-a-Lago, but did not confirm that he had done so for all the classified documents.
Trump later faced criminal charges for the alleged unlawful storage of classified materials in his residence, though Judge Aileen Cannon later dismissed the case due to its said violation of the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution.
The House of Representatives voted to censure Schiff in June 2023 for falsely claiming he had evidence that Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign colluded with Russia while he served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Schiff from the Intelligence Committee at the beginning of the 118th Congress in January 2023 over his conduct.
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