00:00Multiple reports, including reporting by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and behavior that concern current
00:10and former FBI and DOJ officials.
00:12Nope, it's a total farce. I don't even know where you get this stuff, but it doesn't make it credible
00:16because you say so.
00:17Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a
00:23convicted gangbanging rapist was you.
00:25The only person that ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, D.C. at the lobby bar was
00:31you.
00:32So the only individual in this room that has been drinking on taxpayers, this is the ultimate example of hypocrisy.
00:39I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations or fraudulent statements from the media.
00:43The fact that you mention that indicates you don't know what you are talking about.
00:49I'll take any test you're willing to take.
00:51I will take it, Director Patel. I'll take it. You ready to take it?
00:55Let's go.
00:55Yes or no?
00:56Let's go. Side by side.
00:58Director Patel, do you agree with these three gentlemen?
01:01Yes, sir.
01:01The FBI.
01:03So you agree, Director Patel, that if one of your agents was unable to perform his or her duties because
01:09of excessive drinking,
01:10you would need to take corrective or disciplinary action. You agree with that statement?
01:14We would implement the inspection review process just like these other agencies have their own internal investigations and complete that
01:19review.
01:19As I said in my opening remarks, I really don't care about your personal life so long as you are
01:27able to perform your public and official responsibilities, which are awesome responsibilities.
01:35Multiple reports, including reporting by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and behavior that concern current
01:45and former FBI and DOJ officials.
01:47You have publicly denied those allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit. So today, as you testify before Congress, is it
01:56your testimony that those allegations are categorically false?
02:01Unequivocally, categorically false.
02:02So there have been no occasions during your tenure when FBI personnel were unable to promptly reach you?
02:08Absolutely not. You can ask my entire workforce. They hear from me at every single hour of the day, as
02:12do these great gentlemen here, as do the men and women of the interagency and state and local law enforcement
02:17in the White House.
02:18And so there have been no occasions when your security detail had difficulty waking or locating you. Is that right?
02:23Nope. It's a total farce. I don't even know where you get this stuff, but it doesn't make it credible
02:27because you say so.
02:28I'm not saying it, Director Patel. It's been written and documented.
02:33You are literally saying it.
02:34No, I'm saying that these are reports, Director Patel.
02:37Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a
02:44convicted gangbanging rapist was you.
02:46The only person that ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, D.C. at the lobby bar was
02:52you.
02:52So the only individual in this room that has been drinking on taxpayer dime during the day is you.
02:58Are you polygraphing? Director Patel, come on. These are serious allegations that were made against you.
03:05The allegations are false. You drink in margaritas with a gangbanger is true and on video.
03:09This goes to show you running a $7,000 bar tab at the lobby bar has been filed by your
03:14own office to drink during the day.
03:17That's you. This is the ultimate example of hypocrisy.
03:21I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations and fraudulent statements from the media.
03:25The fact that you mention that indicates you don't know what you are talking about.
03:31Now here, Director Patel.
03:32The only thing I know is you're the one drinking margaritas with Felton.
03:34Actually, that's a false statement. And I'm asking you about your statements.
03:39I've answered that.
03:40And I'm asking you about a particular report.
03:44It's not a report.
03:46So let me ask you this.
03:50Are you willing to take the test, it's called the audit test, that members of our active duty military and
03:58others take to determine whether they have a drinking problem?
04:02I'll take any test you're willing to take.
04:04I will take it, Director Patel. I'll take it.
04:06You ready to take it?
04:07Let's go.
04:08Yes or no?
04:09Let's go. Side by side.
04:11I'll take it.
04:11All right. I think that the fact that you're so good.
04:16Have you have you ordered polygraph tests of members of your team to determine how that story came about?
04:23The FBI conducts polygraph tests all the time.
04:26No. Have you have you ordered polygraph tests for members of your team to determine who is the source of
04:34the stories that I'm asking you about?
04:36I don't order any polygraph tests.
04:37There's an internal inspection review process for any and all leaks, especially of baseless information at the FBI that's been
04:43in place for the last 30 years.
04:44Those processes are followed by career intelligence and agents on the ground.
04:48So I'll take that as a yes since you said that these were these were unauthorized disclosures.
04:56I have another round of questioning regarding your firing people who were important to gathering intelligence with respect to Iran.
05:03But I'll wait for my second round.
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