Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee to head the FBI, fielded intense questioning from senators, particularly from Sen. Lindsey Graham, regarding the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation into alleged Trump-Russia collusion during the 2016 election. The hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee became a focal point for renewed debate about the investigation's origins and motivations.

Sen. Graham pressed Patel on his perspective of the investigation, characterizing it as politically biased and a wasteful deployment of FBI resources. Patel, who previously investigated the probe's beginnings for the House Intelligence Committee, agreed with Graham's assessment, asserting that those leading Crossfire Hurricane harbored animosity towards Trump. This echoed prior Republican criticisms of the investigation.

Sen. Lindsey Graham at the White House. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Graham further condemned what he perceived as the FBI's politicization, alleging the fabrication and manipulation of evidence against Trump. He positioned Patel's nomination as an opportunity to rectify these perceived issues within the bureau.

Kash Patel, nominated to lead the FBI. (Reuters)

Patel, a close confidante of President Trump and a former member of his administration, has drawn preemptive criticism from Democrats, particularly concerning past statements about prosecuting journalists and officials he deemed part of the "deep state." Patel has since sought to clarify these remarks. His confirmation hearing serves as a key moment in his bid to lead the FBI.