Overview
- Reps. Chrissy Houlahan and Steve Cohen questioned Patel about reports that roughly a dozen counterintelligence personnel tied to Iran work were dismissed shortly before the U.S. strike on Iran.
- Patel said he was aware of the personnel actions but declined details, citing ongoing litigation, and described the decisions as outcomes of internal ethics investigations.
- Pressed on timing, Patel said he does not make termination decisions based on operational timelines and argued the bureau’s Iran mission remains robust.
- Patel cited a 43% rise in counterintelligence arrests and a 21% rise in cyber arrests related to Iran, and referenced 360 ongoing terrorism investigations involving Iran-affiliated entities.
- CNN previously reported the employees were let go after involvement in the Mar-a-Lago classified-documents investigation, a rationale Patel would not address in open session.