"If confirmed as the next FBI Director, I will remain focused on the FBI's core mission: that is to investigate fully, wherever there is a constitutional, factual basis to do so," said Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee to serve as FBI director, during his opening testimony at the confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. A variety of topics were addressed, including support for the FBI workforce, Mr. Patel's alleged "enemies list," his association with far-right extremists, such as Stew Peters and Laura Loomer, and previous statements he made regarding the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. "I have not looked at all 1600 individual cases. I have always advocated for imprisoning those that cause harm to our law enforcement and civilian communities," said Mr. Patel when asked by Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) if "America is safer" following President Trump's pardoning of January 6th defendants, specifically those who attacked law enforcement.