The Senate Judiciary Committee undertook an hours-long hearing on Tuesday to assess FBI Director Kash Patel's and the FBI's performance regarding recent high-profile matters.

Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Kash Patel testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on the FBI at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Patel faced questions on the investigation into the killing of Charlie Kirk, the Epstein files and political violence throughout the country. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI UPI FBI Director Kash Patel testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the Hart Senate office building on Tuesday. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI UPI Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., speaks with FBI Director Kash Patel during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the Hart Senate office building in Washington on Tuesday. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI UPI Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., asks FBI Director Kash Patel regarding the potential influence of online content on criminal behavior during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in the Hart Senate office building on Tuesday. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI UPI

Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The Senate Judiciary Committee undertook an hours-long hearing on Tuesday to assess FBI Director Kash Patel's and the FBI's performance regarding recent high-profile matters.

Among the topics discussed are the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files.

Some senators criticized Patel's initial handling of the search for Kirk's shooter, including ranking member Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who accused Patel of causing "mass confusion" in social media posts, according to ABC News.

In one post, Patel said the FBI found the suspect in the recent Kirk shooting and thanked other law enforcement for helping capture the shooter, but he later announced that person and one other were released from custody and did not shoot Kirk.

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Patel defended his performance and that of the FBI by saying they captured suspected shooter Tyler Robinson, 22, within 36 hours of the shooting on the Utah Valley University Campus on Wednesday afternoon.

Patel told the committee that he went "against all law enforcement recommendations" when he authorized the release of video and photos of suspect Robinson at the university before and after the shooting, when his identity was unknown.

"We cannot do our job without the American public and credible reporting in the media," Patel told the committee.

"That's why Tyler Robinson is in custody today and about to face charges."

He said the videos and photos led to Robinson's family asking if he was the shooter and convincing him to turn himself in to local police when he allegedly admitted to his family that he shot Kirk.

Robinson has an arraignment hearing scheduled Tuesday at the Utah County Justice Court in Provo, Utah.

Epstein files and FBI purge

Committee members also raised concerns regarding the FBI's handling of the Epstein files, which Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi and others had promised to make public. Months later, they changed their minds, which triggered a public uproar, CNN reported.

The decision caused FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino to threaten to leave his post, but he has not done so.

The Senate committee also addressed the firings of agents and senior staff members for their alleged roles in prior investigations of President Donald Trump and others.

Former FBI officials accused Patel and Bondi of politicizing the FBI by purging the bureau of those viewed as hostile to the president.

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The purges triggered a wrongful termination federal lawsuit by former Acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll Jr., former Assistant Director in Charge Steven Jensen and former special agent Spencer Evans.

Some committee members raised concerns about the alleged purge and questioned whether it had weakened the FBI and made it less effective in its role of investigating crimes.

Patel told the Senate committee that the FBI is actively recruiting more agents, particularly from other federal law enforcement agencies, and experienced police officers who don't have college degrees.

He said the FBI has made it easier for agents to transfer from the CIA, Drug Enforcement Administration and other agencies to join the FBI and improve its capabilities.

The Senate committee hearing started at 9 a.m. EDT and lasted for more than four hours before concluding at 1:40 p.m.

He is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday afternoon and possibly into Wednesday.