US Senate Democrats forced a week-long delay in the confirmation process for Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI director over two alleged “enemies lists”.
Patel, a former Trump administration lawyer, is accused of promoting a list of Trump’s political adversaries and endorsing retribution against them, raising serious concerns about his fitness for the role.
A book published in 2022 named 60 critics of Donald Trump and suggested they should be investigated. The second emerged this week, involving FBI agents who probed the 2021 Capitol riots, where Trump was impeached and later indicted.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticised Patel’s nomination, calling it a dangerous move that could compromise the FBI’s independence. “These actions have political retribution written all over them. If Kash Patel becomes FBI director, things will only get worse,” Schumer said.

The judiciary committee was initially set to move Patel’s nomination to a full Senate vote. However, Democrats demanded a second hearing, claiming Patel withheld key information about his involvement in Trump’s alleged plans for FBI retaliation.
Patel denied having any “enemies list” and said he intended to expose lawbreakers. Texas Republican senator Ted Cruz defended him, calling the attacks “political theatre” and dismissing them as baseless accusations.
The democrats used a rule in the Republican-led committee that allowed a single delay of a week in any nomination vote.
According to AFP, a new hearing is expected next Thursday, where even two Republican defections could derail his path to becoming FBI director.