The leading Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has sent a correspondence to the Inspector General of the Justice Department, alleging that Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for FBI director, was involved in secretly orchestrating the dismissals of FBI officials. This follows Patel’s testimony under oath where he claimed to be unaware of any such plans, just a day earlier to the committee.

Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., stated, “If these claims are accurate, Mr. Patel may have committed perjury before the Senate Judiciary Committee.”

Durbin revealed that he has had discussions with whistleblowers who informed him that Patel was directing White House deputy chief of staff for policy, Stephen Miller, who in turn communicated Patel’s directives to acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove.

In his letter, Durbin asserted, “I have obtained credible information from various sources indicating that Kash Patel is personally overseeing the ongoing elimination of career civil servants within the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Although Mr. Patel is President Trump’s nominee for FBI Director, he remains a private citizen with no official government role.”

Originally reported by The New York Times, Durbin recounted a meeting held the day prior to Patel’s confirmation hearing, during which Bove stated that Patel and Miller were advocating for firings at the FBI, following similar actions at the Department of Justice.

Durbin noted in his letter, “Contemporary notes from that meeting indicated: ‘KP wants movement at FBI, reciprocal actions for DOJ,’” clearly referencing Patel’s initials.

Responding on social media, Erika Knight, a spokesperson for Patel, did not directly address Durbin’s allegations but referred to it as a “false narrative.” She emphasized, “Kash Patel is a highly skilled national security specialist who has been completely transparent with the public during this process, showcasing the integrity and leadership essential for the role. The Senate should confirm him without delay.”

During Patel’s confirmation hearing on January 30, Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., questioned Patel about his awareness of any potential punitive actions, including terminations, against FBI personnel linked to investigations involving Trump. Patel replied that he was “not aware of that,” further adding, “I can’t speak to what’s happening there now, but I assure you and your colleagues that I will respect the internal review processes at the FBI.”

Patel also mentioned in the hearing, “All FBI employees will be safeguarded from political retribution.”

The following day, acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll issued a memo to the entire FBI workforce, stating he had been instructed by Bove to dismiss eight senior FBI executives. Driscoll also claimed he was ordered to provide the names of all FBI employees involved in the investigations related to the January 6 riots, a group believed to number in the thousands.

Driscoll firmly resisted a Justice Department directive to assist in the termination of agents linked to the January 6 investigations, a stance so strong that it raised concerns among FBI officials that he might face dismissal, as reported by multiple current and former FBI officials who have spoken to NBC News.

Concerns Over Potential Mass Firings

The Trump administration has requested justification from the FBI’s field offices and headquarters for the ongoing employment of 3,600 employees — about 10% of the agency’s workforce — who are still on probation due to their recent hiring.

The FBI Agents Association, which represents agents but does not function as a union, has stated that special agents in probation have already undergone extensive training at the FBI Academy in Quantico. They assert that these agents are actively engaged in ongoing investigations and that large-scale layoffs could impede their efforts.

In a recent interview with NBC News on Tuesday, Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, highlighted that it costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to train a single agent, from the initial application to their graduation from Quantico.

Bara emphasized the necessity for the bureau to recruit 800 to 1,000 new special agents annually to replace those who are retiring. She warned that mass terminations would have long-lasting repercussions for the agency.

“It simply doesn’t make sense to let go of agents who have already completed this extensive process,”

Bara stated.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is set to vote on Patel’s nomination this Thursday. It remains uncertain whether Durbin’s allegations regarding perjury will influence Republican senators who have generally rallied in support of Patel.

Should the committee approve his nomination, the full Senate will proceed to vote on confirming Patel for a 10-year term as FBI director.