WASHINGTON — FBI Director Kash Patel faced tough questions and at-times tense exchanges with Democratic senators on Tuesday during his first congressional appearance since handling the investigation into conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death last week.

Patel’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee was scheduled before the shooting at Utah Valley University took place last Wednesday, but his testimony gave lawmakers an opportunity to force him on the record about reported missteps during the high-profile manhunt. Senators specifically pointed to a social media post Patel made on Wednesday evening that the FBI had “the subject” in custody — just to clarify two hours later that person was released and was not the person of interest.

“Kash Patel sparked mass confusion by inco

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