Kash Patel denies politicizing FBI in fiery grilling by Democratic senators

Trump appointee insists he is staying in post despite reports of White House doubts over his leadership

A defiant Kash Patel on Tuesday denied Democratic senators' accusations that the firings of top FBI agents were politically motivated and insisted he was staying as the bureau's director despite reports that the White House had grown concerned with his leadership.

I'm not going anywhere. If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on. Over to you," Patel said at the conclusion of his opening statement to the Senate judiciary committee, where he made his first appearance since being confirmed to lead the bureau in February.