Five Takeaways from Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel hearings

Patel, a outspoken critic of the agency he’s been tapped to lead and a Trump loyalist, struck a more moderate tone on Thursday compared to some of his previous comments.

Explaining his criticisms of the FBI, Patel pointed to public opinion surveys that show declining confidence in the agency and highlighted two priorities, including tackling violent crime, which he said was “exploding in this country”.

If confirmed, he said, “I will remain focused on the FBI’s core mission, that is to investigate fully wherever there is a constitutional factual basis to do so”.

But Democrats continued to press him on his previous statements and activities.

Patel wrote a book called Government Gangsters, laying out his theories about a so-called “deep state” targeting Trump.

He has also expressed sympathy with the QAnon movement – a conspiracy theory which broadly speaking claims that a ring of satanic paedophiles operates inside the highest levels of government, media and business.