Is that what's happening here? I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't put it past the corrupt hangers-on at the FBI to "protect the shield" in such a way. They certainly don't want Patel coming in and providing real reform and accountability. They've still got more pro-lifers to raid at gunpoint and Catholics to treat as domestic terrorists. For now, though, we'll call the above theory a hypothesis.

We'll see if the communications reportedly taken are leaked. I would assume they will be, and if they are, Republican senators should pretend they don't exist and confirm anyway, no matter what they contain. There is zero reason to trust anything at this point that would benefit the FBI.

Out of all the nominees that one might call "controversial," Patel getting through is the most important. The only way to stop the weaponization of federal law enforcement is to bring sweeping changes to the FBI, and that's only because there's no realistic way to shut it down. Patel is the right man for that job, and these last-minute games, whatever they amount to, should not stop his nomination. //

Deplorable Extraordinarius
32 minutes ago
Sounds like the FBI has wised up to how anything labeled Russia Russia Russia is no longer seen as credible. So some genius has just swapped in Iran, Iran, Iran. The Deep State is busy doing its black ops in pursuit of its survival. //

anon-rda0
27 minutes ago
I hope Patel kept absolutely quiet during the “briefing”. There’s a dang good chance the purpose of the briefing was to trap him in a lie.

anon-isiz anon-rda0
23 minutes ago
No one should receive an FBI briefing without an attorney present. //

EMCM(SS)
4 minutes ago
Everyone knows this is all hogwash, so why are they doing it?
Cover!
This is all cover for Collins, Murkowski, Thune and the rest of Mitch’s tufthunters to scuttle the nomination. Same as the lies about Hegseth. Not even the Democrats believe this stuff. It’s just a fig leaf for the coming failure theater.