WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — F.B.I. Director nominee Kash Patel broke rank with former President Donald Trump and his blanket pardon of January 6 rioters, telling a Senate panel he opposed commutations for people who used violence against law enforcement during the assault on the Capitol, on January 30.
“I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement,” Patel said. His comments marked a stark contrast to where Trump stood on the issue, especially given the fact that Patel needs both moderates and conservatives to clear his confirmation hurdle.
Earlier this month, Trump issued around 1,500 pardons related to the Capitol riot, which included violent offenders. Patel, however, framed his comments as a response to President Joe Biden’s pardons issued in the final week of his presidency, according to Fox News.
As is the tradition, Patel, who is of Indian origin, recognized his parents, Pramod and Anjana Patel who had flown from India to attend the hearings. He thanked them for coming by using the Hindu salutation “Jai Shri Krishna” and the traditional gesture of touching their feet.
Formerly a public defender and law graduate from Pace University, Patel had previously joined the agenda of Trump in challenging what he called the “deep state.” In addition, he had also advocated for far-right, unproven claims about the 2020 election and wrote a series of children’s books in which he portrayed himself as a wizard-like figure helping Trump.
