Durbin Honors The Late Robert Mueller During A Senate Judiciary Committee Executive Business Meeting
Durbin: “Given his contempt for Robert Mueller, it is no surprise that President Trump would pick the current leader of the FBI—Kash Patel. By any measure, Kash Patel does not have the experience, judgment, or temperament of Robert Mueller.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting honoring the late former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director, Robert Mueller. Durbin praised Mueller for his service to our country as a Marine during the Vietnam War. He earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.
During his opening, Durbin also highlighted the stark contrast between the integrity of Director Mueller and President Trump’s FBI Director, Kash Patel. Patel has spent his time as Director weaponizing the FBI, firing dozens of career law-enforcement agents simply because they were assigned to work on investigations of President Trump’s misconduct, and displaying embarrassing conduct at the Olympic Games, among various other actions.
Key Quotes:
“In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated Mr. Mueller to serve as Director of the FBI. In 2011, President Obama asked to extend his term by two years. The vote to do that was extraordinary— [the vote] was 100 to nothing in favor of Mr. Mueller on the floor of the Senate.”
“Director Mueller led the FBI at a tumultuous time, helping to secure our nation after the worst terrorist attack in our history. He, more than any single individual, was responsible for modernizing the FBI to combat the threats [that we face in] the 21st century.”
“After 9/11, I was proud to work with him [Director Mueller] on a bipartisan basis to help update the FBI’s antiquated computer systems. We didn’t always agree, but I always respected him. He was a patriot and a person of honesty and integrity.”
“In 2017, Director Mueller answered the call to service one last time. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein—a Trump nominee—appointed Mr. Mueller to serve as Special Counsel to investigate Russia’s efforts to interfere in the 2016 election. This to Donald Trump was the unforgiveable sin. As a result, when Mr. Mueller died last week, President Trump responded ‘Good. I’m glad he’s dead.’”
“Given his contempt for Robert Mueller, it is no surprise that President Trump would pick the current leader of the FBI—Kash Patel. By any measure, Kash Patel does not have the experience, judgment, or temperament of Robert Mueller… But Patel has the one quality that authoritarians prize above all—a willingness to do whatever he is asked to do, regardless of what the law requires. To no one’s surprise, Mr. Patel has spent the last year weaponizing the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency to serve the interests of one person—President Trump. This makes us all less safe as a nation.”
“He has fired dozens of career law enforcement agents simply because they were assigned to work on investigations of President Trump’s misconduct. Patel has installed MAGA loyalists as political appointees in key career positions. He has imposed loyalty tests, requiring FBI officials to undergo polygraph exams about whether they have criticized him. And he has commandeered FBI aircraft to support his jet-setting lifestyle.”
“Most recently, Director Patel reportedly fired at least six FBI agents because they were assigned work related to President Trump’s mishandling of classified documents. These terminations were seemingly to save face with President Trump after Patel’s embarrassing appearance chugging beer at the Olympic Games.”
“Several of the fired agents were part of a global counterintelligence squad whose responsibilities include investigating espionage and cyber threats from Iran. In other words, Director Patel has weakened the FBI’s ability to counter Iranian threats at the exact time the threats are highest.”
“This Committee has spent many years debating the merits of the Mueller report. But surely, we can agree that President Trump’s attack on this honorable man is unacceptable and pathetic, and that Kash Patel’s efforts to undo Director Mueller’s legacy and weaponize the FBI have gone too far.”
Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.
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