Sen. Katie Britt Presses FBI Director Patel on Political Violence, Leaks, Sextortion, and Crime During Judiciary Hearing

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on September 16, 2025, U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) grilled FBI Director Kash Patel on several pressing issues, including political violence, the leaking of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, rising cases of sextortion, and violent crime across the country.

Senator Britt began by citing numerous recent incidents: two assassination attempts targeting former President Trump, the murders of two Israeli diplomatic staff in Washington, D.C., and the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Britt raised concerns over those who incite, promote, or fund political violence. “What steps is the FBI taking to more aggressively crack down on those who promote, encourage, finance, [and] fund these types of engagements and this type of political violence?” she asked.

Director Patel responded that the FBI works closely with the Treasury Department to track sources of funding and training. He explained that they also monitor groups organized via social media and other platforms using “clickbait to make money for their ideology.” Britt pressed for more accountability and asked whether foreign sources were involved; Patel confirmed that some funding did come from overseas.

Turning to the leak of the Dobbs decision, Britt expressed frustration. “I find that absolutely mind boggling, that we can’t figure out who leaked that opinion. We know it was done in attempts to undermine the process, and then the intimidation of the (Supreme Court) Justices occurred after that.”

Patel confirmed that the FBI has taken over the investigation and pledged the Bureau’s commitment to hold those responsible accountable.

The hearing also turned toward online sextortion, especially involving minors. Britt warned that if such conduct happened in a physical storefront, businesses would be shut down. Yet, she noted, similar abuses online continue with little restraint.

Patel described a stark rise in related offenses. He said that in recent operations, about 1,500 child predators and 300 human traffickers have been arrested. More than 4,700 children have been identified and rescued — a 35 percent increase compared to the same time last year.

He singled out the growing role of generative AI in sextortion cases. These tools, he said, are being misused on social media and in private platforms. Patel said law enforcement cannot handle the issue alone and called for cooperation from social media companies, private tech firms, and internet service providers. Britt agreed and committed to working with the FBI toward legislative and other solutions.

Finally, Senator Britt spotlighted a successful model in her home state. She praised the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Metro Area Crime Suppression (MACS) Unit for driving a 30 percent drop in violent crime and a 19 percent drop in crime overall in Montgomery.

She asked Patel how the FBI was promoting similar interagency cooperation in other parts of the country. Director Patel highlighted training programs planned for Alabama, including a large-scale effort at Redstone Arsenal. “In the next few years, we will bring 13,000 students a year through Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal. And by students, I mean FBI employees, … sheriffs, … police chiefs … intel analysts …” he said. 

Senator Britt’s questions at the hearing underscored a clear message: more transparency, stronger accountability, and closer cooperation are needed — both between agencies and across the public and private sectors.

Senator Britt’s question of Director Patel may be seen on YouTube or below: