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FBI Director Kash Patel gave firm testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on this week, amid increasing examination of his handling of the investigation into the assassination of conservative youth leader Charlie Kirk in Utah.

A Performance for an Viewership of One

The director's appearance on Capitol Hill came as critics and other opponents have criticised the way he and the FBI have handled the probe into Kirk's assassination—in particular an misleading online statement that a suspect had been arrested. The FBI later said that two people had been interviewed and released.

Ahead of the session, the director took the rare step of on two occasions going on a news network, defending his handling of the case and revealing “shocking” evidence that he says the Bureau has discovered.

In front of the committee, Patel stated that the suspect in the Kirk assassination was taken into custody just a short time after the FBI issued new photos and footage.

A Partisan Shouting Match

Committee members on the panel sought to portray of disorder and incompetence at the Bureau, citing the agency's handling of Kirk's killing and former agents claiming they were dismissed for partisan motives.

But the director showed no indications of retreating, ending his opening remarks with the words “I’m ready” and interrupting Democrats on the committee.

In one especially heated interaction, Patel called a Democrat a “political buffoon” as the lawmaker pressed him about a high-profile case.

Florida and St Louis Next in Law Enforcement Push

While he did not reveal detailed strategies, Patel suggested the next American urban areas that could experience a increase in federal resources or National Guard presence to fight crime.

Answering a query by a GOP lawmaker, he listed a series of urban centers that might be targeted.

“It was done in DC. We're doing it in Memphis. Next will be to Illinois, Miami, St Louis—numerous other cities across the country,” he said.

“I am not intimidated of you!” — Kash Patel in a heated confrontation.

Legal experts have challenged the lawfulness of using military personnel in US cities, and a federal judge in the state previously ruled that a comparable operation in Los Angeles was illegal.