Latest news with #USSenateJudiciaryCommittee
Bloomberg
11-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Social Media's 'Big Tobacco Moment' Is Coming
The new Bloomberg Originals documentary Can't Look Away, which follows parents suing tech companies after the deaths of their children, is difficult to watch. It should be. The film lays bare what many parents already know: Social media is rewiring their children's brains, creating a generation of short attention spans and social anxiety. While viewing the film, what became clear is that tech platforms aren't doing nearly enough to stop it — and probably never will. It's apparent simply in Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg's shift in tone. In January 2025, he stood before some of these parents at a US Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and said, 'I'm sorry for everything you've gone through.' Before the year was out, the Facebook creator's rhetoric had changed. Donning a gold chain and longer hair, he told an audience of technologists 'I don't apologize anymore.'
Express Tribune
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Senate panel approves nomination of Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI chief
The US Senate Judiciary Committee has voted along party lines to advance the nomination of Kash Patel as the next FBI Director, despite concerns raised by Democrats about his potential loyalty to former President Donald Trump and fears that he might target perceived political adversaries. In a 12-10 vote, the committee moved Patel's nomination forward to the full Senate for consideration. A final confirmation vote is expected next week. Patel, a former staffer at the Republican-led House Intelligence Committee and a key figure in Trump's administration, has faced scrutiny for his lack of experience in law enforcement leadership. Critics have pointed to his history of controversial statements, including his characterization of FBI investigators as 'government gangsters' and his claim that some individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot were 'political prisoners.' At his confirmation hearing, Patel dismissed allegations that his remarks were out of context, arguing that his comments on the FBI headquarters and the so-called 'deep state' had been misinterpreted. He also denied any involvement in the efforts to remove FBI agents investigating the Capitol attack, which had been raised in a recent letter by Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the committee. Patel's spokeswoman rejected these allegations, dismissing them as 'second-hand gossip.' Democratic lawmakers, however, expressed strong opposition to Patel's nomination, warning that his appointment could further politicize the FBI at a time when the agency is dealing with increased threats from international terrorism and espionage. 'His judgment is dangerously flawed,' said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island. 'This is a man who will come back to haunt the country.' Senator Durbin echoed these concerns, suggesting that Patel's confirmation could lead to a political disaster for the FBI, undermining the agency's integrity. He urged his Republican colleagues to consider the broader implications of such an appointment, particularly in light of the increasing challenges facing US national security. Republican senators, by contrast, rallied behind Patel, defending him as the right choice to lead the FBI. They criticized the agency for perceived bias in its investigations, especially those related to Trump. 'The American people are fed up with two tiers of justice,' said Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, pointing to ongoing investigations into Trump as evidence of this bias. Supporters of Patel also highlighted his extensive experience in federal service, including his role as a prosecutor and his tenure as a counterterrorism official in the Trump administration. 'We need someone who will set a new course for the FBI,' said Senator Ashley Moody of Florida. 'Patel may not have held senior positions within the FBI, but his background makes him the right candidate for this critical moment.' Patel's nomination will now proceed to the Senate floor, where Republicans are expected to secure enough support for confirmation, despite the deep divisions over his suitability for the role.
Al Arabiya
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Senate Democrat alleges FBI chief pick Patel is secretly overseeing firings
The top Democrat on the US Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday alleged that President Donald Trump's FBI director nominee Kash Patel has been secretly overseeing the ouster of the bureau's leadership before being confirmed for the role. Senator Dick Durbin said he learned about Patel's alleged role in the firings from several whistleblowers, and he has asked Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate. Durbin, of Illinois, said that Patel was working with senior White House and Justice Department staffers to oversee the removals. 'This alleged misconduct is beyond the pale and must be investigated immediately,' Durbin wrote in a letter to the inspector general calling for an investigation urgently. 'It is unacceptable for a nominee with no current role in government, much less at the FBI, to personally direct unjustified and potentially illegal adverse employment actions against senior career FBI leadership and other dedicated, nonpartisan law enforcement officers.' Patel spokesperson Erica Knight on social media called Durbin's claims 'second-hand gossip.' 'Kash Patel is a highly qualified national security expert who has been fully transparent with the American people throughout this process,' Knight said. An FBI spokesperson declined to comment. Spokespeople for the White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The panel is set to vote on Thursday on Patel, who told lawmakers under oath during his confirmation hearing that he was unaware of any efforts to fire or punish FBI employees who worked on cases associated with Trump. Patel may have perjured himself before the committee if the allegations are true, Durbin said. The day after Patel's hearing, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove fired eight senior career FBI officials and ordered the FBI's Acting Director Brian Driscoll to hand over a list of every employee who worked on investigations related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by Trump's supporters. Bove said the department would use the list to review whether further personnel action was warranted. The demand for the list prompted two different groups of FBI agents to sue the Justice Department, in a bid to prevent senior Trump officials from releasing their names publicly, which they said could put agents at risk. The department has since agreed not to release any names, and to provide the plaintiffs with at least 48 hours' notice if that changes.
