FBI Director Patel and Rep. Swalwell spar over Epstein files at hearing

FBI director Kash Patel and Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., Sparred in regards to the information of the intercourse trafficking of Jeffrey Epstein, a subject that was repeatedly mentioned on Wednesday throughout a listening to of the Judiciary committee home.

Swalwell, one of many many Democrats who grilled Patel in regards to the dealing with of the information of the Ministry of Justice, demanded that the director informed him about each point out of President Donald Trump in them. Patel was not open to the Swalwell interrogation line, which led to a blasphemy of blasphemy.

“Your fixation on this matter and unfounded accusations that I conceal kids’s pedophiles is disgusting,” mentioned Patel.

Doj Brass promised full transparency on Epstein earlier than he appeared empty -handed

Rep. Eric Swalwell speaks throughout a listening to of a home Judiciary Committee with FBI director Kash Patel within the workplace constructing of Rayburn Home on September 17, 2025 in Washington, DC (Win McNamee/Getty Photographs)

Swalwell mentioned Patels conversations with lawyer -general Pam Bondi associated to Trump after the Wall street Magazine reported that Trump, who was as soon as mates with Epstein, was informed by the Doj that his identify appeared within the information. Trump and numerous different controversial figures, together with former President Invoice Clinton, ran in the identical effectively -to -do social circle as Epstein, however have by no means been accused of misconduct.

“The lawyer common and I’ve had numerous discussions about the whole Epstein information,” mentioned Patel.

Swalwell repeated the query a number of instances earlier than he completed every syllable.

“Why do not you attempt to spell it whenever you mock me. Use the alphabet. … No? ABC, Def,” Patel shot again.

Inadequate, Swalwell mentioned that he would regard Patels ‘avoidance’ as a ‘consciousness of guilt’. Swalwell additionally seen how the non-successful makes an attempt of the DOJ to ask the courts the transcripts of huge jury in each Epstein’s and his related Ghislaine Maxwell’s case to be meaningless as a result of the massive jury materials didn’t include new personal info and solely a small group of the broader case.

Huisdemocrats open the probe in FBI’s dealing with of Epstein -documents

FBI director Kash Patel testifies earlier than a listening to of the home Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, September 17, 2025. (Annabelle Gordon/Reuters)

“Director, you may have performed this cute Shell sport the place you say that you simply can’t launch the whole lot as a result of the court docket mentioned it shouldn’t be launched by legislation, however the court docket calls Bulls ** t,” mentioned Swalwell.

Swalwell has lengthy been seen as a political rival of Trump’s after serving the Home Intelligence Committee and brazenly accusing Trump of working with Russia to affect the 2016 elections, a declare that was by no means confirmed after a number of federal investigations. Patel was a prime worker for Republicans within the Intel committee and on the identical time Swalwell served.

In his ebook ‘Authorities Gangsters’ from 2023, Patel talked about Swalwell as a ‘corrupt actor’. Swalwell indicated that Patel, a former Maga Firebrand, mentioned in his ebook that dozens of Democrats and Republicans who fell out of grace with Trump had been members of the so -called deep state. Swalwell requested Patel to get better from investigating somebody in his ebook. Patel ultimately mentioned that he wouldn’t withdraw himself, however not earlier than a screaming match adopted.

“I will borrow your terminology and name Bullsh ** in your complete profession within the congress,” mentioned Patel. “It has been a disgrace for the American folks,” he added when Swalwell screamed over him to reclaim his time and whereas different legislators known as for order.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell had been each charged with federal costs for intercourse commerce ensuing from Epstein’s years of abuse of underage women. (Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan through Getty pictures)

Swalwell was one of many many Democrats that the Epstein information raised after the Doj had failed a rollout of them earlier this yr and ultimately mentioned that it will not reveal any additional non -public info. Patel had lengthy mentioned earlier than he grew to become FBI director that the federal government coated sexual predators affiliated with Epstein.

Patel spoke to the case in his opening assertion and mentioned that former American lawyer Alex Acosta was not sought sufficient info when Epstein was initially prosecuted.

“The unique sin within the Epstein case was the way it was handled by Mr Acosta when he introduced the case for the primary time in 2006, seven and eight,” mentioned Patel. “The unique case had a really restricted home search order, had a really restricted search window … I would not have carried out it that manner.”

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Epstein was later accused of human trafficking in minor girls in 2019 and, based on the authorities, died by suicide pending the method.

On the finish of the listening to, Democrats held a temper to compete 4 banks related to Epstein, whose huge wealth stays some extent of management. Republicans resisted to vote to set the movement.