Touched parents' feet, praised Hindu deity: 5 highlights from Kash Patel's FBI nomination hearing
2. Congressional leak of personal data led to 'significant' threat, racial slurs
Patel began his testimony by revealing how he was personally impacted after a DOJ watchdog report released last month found the agency secretly obtained phone records from two members of Congress and 43 staffers — including Patel — as part of widespread investigations into government leaks.
He said following the leak, he was subjected to "a direct and significant threat on my life." Patel went on to share the harrowing details of the threat, and when pressed by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina to provide details, he said he was called a "detestable sand n— who had no right being in this country. You should go back to where you came from. You belong with your terrorist home friends."
Despite the personal attack, Patel said it made him more determined to stand with the U.S. law enforcement community.
"That's what was sent to me," Patel said. "That's just a piece of it. But that's nothing compared to what the men and women in law enforcement face every day. And that's why they have my support."
