Kash Patel challenges Swalwell's claims about Epstein documents in a heated discussion
In a heated exchange during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in September 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel and Rep. Eric Swalwell engaged in a fiery debate over the handling of documents related to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Ashley Oliver, a reporter for Digital and FOX Business, covering the Justice Department and legal affairs, was present at the hearing. The exchange was over Patel's book 'Government Gangsters' and Epstein grand canyon records. Swalwell, a political rival of former President Donald Trump, demanded to know if there was any mention of Trump in the records. However, Patel refused to comment on specific individuals mentioned in the book. The Democrats held a vote to subpoena four banks associated with Epstein at the end of the hearing, but their effort was countered by Republicans who voted to table the motion. The grand canyon material contained no new non-public information and represented only a small fraction of the broader case files, according to Patel. He also criticized former U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta for not seeking enough information when Epstein was originally prosecuted in 2006. Swalwell accused Patel of playing a 'shell game' regarding Epstein grand canyon records, citing the DOJ's unsuccessful attempts to ask the courts to unseal grand jury transcripts in both Epstein's and Ghislaine Maxwell's case. Patel, who named Swalwell as a 'corrupt actor' in his book, was not receptive to Swalwell's line of questioning, leading to a profanity-laced back-and-forth. The heated exchange came amidst House Democrats' ongoing probe into the FBI's handling of Epstein documents. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump, who was once friends with Epstein, was told by the DOJ that his name appeared in the files. Swalwell has been a vocal critic of Trump, openly accusing him of colluding with Russia in 2016. Patel, on the other hand, stated that he would not have handled the Epstein case the way it was initially prosecuted. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing controversy surrounding the Epstein case and the continued scrutiny of those involved. As the investigation continues, more revelations are expected to come to light.
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