Hirono presses FBI Director Kash Patel during Senate hearing

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono questioned FBI Director Kash Patel on his leadership of the agency during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

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Hirono criticized Patel over what she described as a pattern of mismanagement, including his travel, staffing decisions and changes to FBI hiring policies.

She specifically raised a VIP snorkeling tour Patel took around the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in August 2025.

Hirono said she and other senators later sent Patel a letter asking about his personal travel, non-official activities during official trips and the cost to taxpayers.

“Three months later, we have received no response,” Hirono said during the hearing.

She also criticized mass firings at the FBI under Patel’s leadership, including the dismissal of Iran experts, and questioned changes to hiring standards that removed certain conduct from the list of automatic disqualifications.

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“You have been at the helm of the FBI for almost two years, and the list of your failings is long and frankly growing,” Hirono said.

Hirono also accused Patel of politicizing the bureau and criticized how the FBI has handled investigations involving domestic extremism, immigration enforcement and alleged public corruption.

“The FBI is supposed to be investigating this sort of blatant public corruption, not turning a blind eye,” she said.

Hirono concluded her remarks by saying the country needs an FBI that provides Congress and the public with clear answers.

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