Patel criticized Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) over her questions on lower-level FBI staffing.
“When you’re talking about firings, you’re looking for a media hit and a fundraising clip. And I’m not going to give it to you,” he told Hirono.
Patel said FBI field offices across the country have received “plus-ups,” meaning FBI agents have been deployed to tackle violent crime nationwide. He challenged the notion that the bureau has been laying off its most qualified agents en masse.
“Every single field office in the country, including Hawaii, has received a plus-up of FBI agents because we’re pushing them out to the field,” Patel said in response to a question from Hirono about the mass departure of FBI personnel from the bureau since January.
