Patel defends FBI hiring policy on prostitution, bestiality at Senate hearing

FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday defended changes to the bureau’s hiring rules that allow some applicants with past involvement in prostitution or childhood experiences involving bestiality to be considered for jobs, saying the policy was intended to ensure victims of trafficking and abuse were not automatically disqualified.

Patel faced sharp questioning from both Democrats and Republicans during a lengthy Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, where lawmakers also challenged him over the firing of FBI agents involved in investigations of President Donald Trump and the bureau’s role in the upcoming November midterm elections.

The FBI quietly changed its hiring guidance this spring, removing a blanket restriction on applicants who had previously engaged in prostitution. A similar change was made for applicants who had experienced bestiality as children.

Patel said the changes did not amount to lowering the bureau’s standards. He said the FBI wanted to ensure that people who had been forced or trafficked into such acts could still be considered for employment.

“We did not want to punish victims,” Patel told lawmakers, adding that such conduct would no longer automatically disqualify an applicant.

Republican Senator John Kennedy also questioned the decision, asking Patel why he did not reject the recommendation when it was first brought to him. Patel said he initially reacted similarly but changed his view after being shown cases involving people who had been forced into such acts.

According to an Associated Press report last month, the FBI continues to bar some applicants with a history of prostitution, including those who engaged in it within the previous 10 years.

The hearing also focused heavily on the FBI’s possible role during the November elections. Patel said election security is primarily the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security, but did not rule out FBI agents being sent to polling locations if there were reports of interference or other problems.

Democrats also questioned Patel over the dismissal of agents who had worked on investigations involving Trump, including the FBI probe into his handling of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Senator Richard Blumenthal questioned the decision to fire national security agents with expertise on Iran shortly before US military action against the country last February. Patel defended the dismissals as part of his effort to prevent what he described as a “weaponized FBI”.

The hearing also saw heated exchanges between Patel and Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Cory Booker, who sharply criticised the FBI director’s leadership and conduct.

Patel rejected the criticism and defended his record, including his handling of crime and personnel changes at the bureau.