Patel got into a tense shouting match with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who asked Patel to clarify an answer related to Ghislaine Maxwell’s prison transfer.
Earlier in the hearing, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) questioned Patel on whether Epstein trafficked young girls to anyone other than himself. Patel said there was “no credible information” that Epstein trafficked to anyone else.
Schiff sought clarification on Patel’s confusing answer. Patel maintained he never said Epstein didn’t traffic young women to other individuals based on information in the FBI’s possession under three different administrations.
The line of questioning erupted into a heated argument, with Patel calling Schiff a “political buffoon.”
“You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate. You’re a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward,” Patel told Schiff. “I’m not surprised that you continue to lie from your perch and put on a show so you can go raise money for your charade. You are a political buffoon at best.”
Patel touted the Trump administration’s actions regarding Epstein, noting the Obama and Biden administrations “did squat.”
