Watch Live: FBI's Patel testifies at House hearing in aftermath of Kirk shooting

Jordan began his opening statement by going after Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California and former FBI Director James Comey, accusing them of leaking information to "sabotage and undermine President Trump's first term," referring to the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

The chairman credited Patel with facilitating the release of new information on the Russia investigation. And he touted Patel's work as FBI director more broadly, saying Patel "is getting the bad guys off the street."

"He's moved agents out of Washington, got the focus off of politics here in D.C., and is instead putting bad guys behind bars," Jordan said. 

Jordan said Patel has "given us information that Chris Wray didn't," while praising him for ending "the weaponization of the FBI."

Jordan gave Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the committee, a chance to say a few words about Kirk and his death. Raskin said "we all stand together categorically against political violence in America," also remembering the killing of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman in June. 

"The whole country reacted with horror and shock to the brutal assassination of Charlie Kirk in cold blood. And there is never any warrant for political violence in America. And just as we all recoiled together at the shocking assassination of Melissa Hortman and others who died in that Minnesota attack, we all stand together categorically against political violence in America, and determined to end these cycles of political violence that have traumatized the country," Raskin said.

"Well said," Jordan said. 

Chairman Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, gaveled in the hearing shortly after 10 a.m., taking a moment to acknowledge the assassination of Kirk last week.

"This is the first occasion for the committee to get back together since the tragic death of Charlie Kirk," Jordan said, calling Kirk a "good man" and a "happy warrior."

Jordan noted that Kirk was shot while the committee was in a markup hearing a week prior. 

Authorities in Utah unveiled formal charges against the suspect in Kirk's shooting, Tyler Robinson, on Tuesday. He faces charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and committing a violent offense in the presence of a child. Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray said he intends to seek the death penalty.

A court filing supporting the charges shed new light on the evidence that investigators have gathered in the case. Robinson's mother told police that her son had become "more political" and had "started to lean more to the left" over the past year, becoming more "pro-gay and trans rights," Gray said.

Robinson's mother also said that Robinson had begun to date his roommate, who was transitioning from male to female. That relationship resulted in difficult conversations between Robinson and his family members, especially his father, who had different beliefs, Gray said.

The filing included text messages that Robinson allegedly exchanged with his roommate, in which Robinson appeared to confess to the killing. When the roommate asked why he had carried out the shooting, Robinson responded, "I had enough of his hatred. Some hate can't be negotiated out," the court filing stated.

Officials have said the roommate is fully cooperating with the investigation.

Kerry Breen and Faris Tanyos

During Tuesday's hearing, the FBI director confirmed that the bureau is investigating a group chat on the platform Discord that the suspect, Tyler Robinson, was allegedly involved in. Patel said "there are a number of individuals that are currently being investigated and interrogated and a number yet to be instigated and interrogated, specific to that chatroom," referring to the Discord group. The FBI director added that "it is very much an ongoing investigation." 

On the Epstein files, Patel also indicated that nothing in the department's files indicated that others were involved in Epstein's trafficking of minors.

"Now I am not saying that others were not trafficked, that others were not involved," Patel said, adding that "based on credible information, we have released all credible information, and the information that the Department of Justice and the FBI never releases is information on investigations that are not credible."

Most of the hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday remained cordial, but two exchanges ended in shouting matches with Democrats.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey harshly criticized Patel's handling of the Kirk shooting investigation and the Epstein files, telling him "I don't think you're long for your job." The exchange devolved into chaotic shouting, and Patel told Booker, "you are an embarrassment to the division of this country," adding, "your time is over."

In another exchange, Patel sparred with Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California when he was questioned about FBI terminations and the Epstein files. As the exchange escalated, Patel called Schiff "the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate."

"You are a disgrace to this institution and an utter coward," Patel said, adding that "you are a political buffoon at best."

Schiff replied that "the FBI director will always be nothing more than an internet troll."

Patel, a longtime ally of President Trump, was narrowly confirmed by the Senate in February, over opposition from all Democrats and two Republicans.

The 45-year-old began his career as a public defender in Florida. He went on to become a trial attorney in the Justice Department's National Security Division and a legal liaison to Joint Special Operations Command. In Mr. Trump's first administration, Patel served in intelligence and defense roles, and held a position on the National Security Council and as chief of staff to the secretary of defense.

Patel came to lead the FBI after former Director Chris Wray resigned in the face of Mr. Trump's pledge to fire him before the end of his 10-year-term that was set to end in 2027. The FBI had long been a target of the president's ire, especially after agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida in 2023.