During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, FBI Director Kash Patel directly challenged Senator Adam Schiff, calling him the “biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate” and a “coward,” while asserting that new evidence shows Schiff misled the public about both the Russia investigation and events of January 6.

The confrontation escalated when Schiff pressed Patel about his role in promoting a song performed by Jan. 6 rioters, including allegations that Patel raised money off them.

Patel responded that he “never accepted violence against law enforcement,” that he had not profited monetarily, and defended his past actions as misunderstood.

Patel also cited a whistleblower, a former Democrat staffer on the House Intelligence Committee, who says Schiff approved leaking classified information during the Russiagate era with intent to damage Donald Trump politically; that whistleblower’s reports were declassified and submitted to Congress in recent months.

Schiff has defended his own conduct, arguing constitutional protections like the Speech or Debate Clause shield some legislative actions, and denying wrongdoing.

The exchange underscored sharp divisions over oversight, governmental transparency, and the politicization of intelligence in the United States.