A fight between Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and FBI Director Kash Patel erupted on Tuesday during a hearing as Booker grilled Patel about controversies surrounding his tenure at the bureau.
Booker accused Patel of making the country "weaker and less safe" and predicted he would not last as FBI director, before a yelling match ensued.
"I think you're not going to be around long," Booker said during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. "I think this might be your last oversight hearing, because as much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the Constitution of the United States of America, Donald Trump has shown us in his first term, and in this term, he is not loyal to people like you."
Patel shot back that Booker's "rant of false information does not bring this country together," before adding, "It's my time, not yours."
"My God! My God!" Booker exclaimed.
The clash came as Booker was grilling Patel over firings at the FBI and sealed grand jury testimony he gave during the prosecution against President Donald Trump related to classified documents.
The Department of Justice was recently sued by three ousted top FBI officials who alleged they were unconstitutionally fired by Patel without explanation despite each serving at the bureau for about two decades. As for the grand jury testimony, Politico has sought in court to unseal Patel's testimony in Trump's classified documents case, but a judge rejected the request.
Booker accused Patel of sowing division through his social media as the FBI director attempted to talk over Booker.
"You can't lecture me!" Booker shouted.
Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, interjected, calling for order. The New Jersey Democrat stormed out after his questioning concluded.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
