Key facts
- FBI Director Kash Patel defended a policy change allowing consideration of applicants with past bestiality offenses.
- Patel stated the change was to avoid punishing victims of human trafficking.
- Senators questioned Patel on hiring qualifications for applicants who engaged in prostitution and bestiality.
- The policy permits consideration of individuals who engaged in bestiality or animal cruelty before age 18.
- Patel also faced scrutiny over his leadership and the 2020 election probe.
FBI Director Kash Patel appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, where he defended a controversial decision to relax hiring restrictions for applicants with past offenses, including bestiality. Patel argued that the change was intended to avoid automatically disqualifying individuals who were victims of human trafficking and forced into such acts.
During the hearing, Senators John Kennedy and Dick Durbin pressed Patel on the rationale behind the policy. Kennedy expressed concern that the change harmed the FBI's reputation and questioned why such applicants would be considered. Patel explained that he reviewed cases where qualified applicants were denied consideration due to being forced into bestiality, stating it should not be an automatic disqualification. Durbin, however, countered that the policy protected applicants who engaged in bestiality, not just victims.
The rule change, reported in August, allows the FBI to consider candidates who hired a sex worker, stole from an employer, or engaged in bestiality or animal cruelty, provided the incident occurred before they turned 18. The committee also expected to question Patel on his leadership, travel expenses, and the FBI's 2020 election probe.