FBI Director Kash Patel struck a combative tone in a Tuesday hearing that included multiple shouting matches with Democratic lawmakers and a prediction that President Trump “will cut you loose.”

The appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee was Patel’s first sitting with lawmakers since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the Justice Department’s compliance with a House subpoena demanding the Epstein files.

While he faced some tough questions from the GOP side of the dais on the Epstein files, it was exchanges with Democrats that resulted in two heated outbursts.

In one notable exchange, Patel lit into Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a frequent target of the president, calling him “the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate” and “a political buffoon at best.”

Before that, tensions flared between Patel and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) when the senator said he expects the director could soon be fired amid conservative backlash to Patel’s handling of the Kirk shooting.

“Mr. Patel, I think you’re not going to be around long. I think this might be your last full oversight hearing,” Booker said. “Because as much as you supplicate yourself to the will of Donald Trump and not the constitution of the United States of America, Donald Trump has shown us in his first term, and in this term, he is not loyal to people like you. He will cut you loose.”

Here are five takeaways from the contentious hearing.

Patel denies Trump role in forcing out top staff

Patel denied the central allegations of a recently filed lawsuit, saying he did not take cues from President Trump in deciding to fire several top agents, including a career agent who led the FBI on an acting basis before he was confirmed.

Patel’s statements contrast with allegations from Brian Driscoll, who says he was told his firing last month was because “the FBI tried to put the president in jail, and he hasn’t forgotten it.” Driscoll indicated he believes Patel’s reference to his superiors meant the Justice Department and the White House, and according to the suit, Patel did not deny it.

But Patel offered a different account when confronted by lawmakers.

“I don’t receive directions to do that,” he said, adding “I make the decisions.

“Any termination at the FBI was a decision that I made based on the evidence that I have as a director of the FBI. That’s my job, and I don’t shy away from it. And as you stated, those were allegations, and that is ongoing litigation. They’ll have their day in court. So will we,” Patel said.

© The Hill