During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, FBI director-designate Kash Patel and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) placed responsibility for the security failures on January 6th on Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Patel testified that the Department of Defense had prepared National Guard troops, but Pelosi and D.C. Mayor Bowser denied the request for additional support.

Cruz questioned Patel about the Sergeant at Arms, who reports to Pelosi and Schumer, confirming they were in charge of security. Patel revealed that Pelosi had written a letter rejecting extra National Guard support before the event, challenging the narrative that President Trump was to blame.

Pelosi had privately accepted responsibility for the Capitol’s security failures in 2024, though she publicly blamed Trump. Patel also vowed to shield FBI personnel from political retaliation during his confirmation process.

Republican senators showed support for Patel, praising him as a reformer, while Democratic senators questioned his past statements. If confirmed, Patel would be the FBI’s first Indian-American director.