FBI Director Kash Patel denied Tuesday that the bureau is investigating journalists over negative reporting about his leadership, responding to mounting Democratic criticism as the Trump administration simultaneously ramps up a separate crackdown on classified war leaks to the media.

The issue erupted during a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing just hours after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche warned that reporters could face subpoenas in investigations involving classified disclosures. Democrats accused Patel of blurring the line between legitimate national security leak investigations and efforts to root out embarrassing internal disclosures about his leadership that did not involve classified information.

Sen. @PattyMurray (D-WA): “Can you commit…that no agent hours have been pulled from other work like counterterrorism…to work on matters related to negative press about you?”

FBI Dir. Kash Patel: “This FBI is targeting and investigating no journalists.” pic.twitter.com/AU77HsE3Qn

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 12, 2026

“This FBI is targeting and investigating no journalists,” Patel told Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). “This FBI is targeting no journalists.”

Patel’s denial centered on May 7 reporting from MS NOW alleging the FBI launched internal leak investigations after damaging stories about Patel’s leadership, including an April 17 report from the Atlantic citing more than two dozen sources who described alleged excessive drinking, absences, and erratic behavior by the FBI director.

According to the latest reporting, Patel allegedly ordered polygraphs for more than two dozen current and former members of his security detail and staff to identify possible leakers. Murray confronted Patel directly over the matter during Tuesday’s hearing.

“There are reports that you’re using FBI resources to investigate journalists,” she said.

“We have not done so,” Patel replied.

The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of the Justice Department‘s increasingly aggressive posture toward classified leaks involving reporters and material that may relate to the war in Iran.

To the media asking about DOJ investigating the leaking of classified information:

Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration. Any witness, whether…

— Acting AG Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) May 12, 2026

“Prosecuting leakers who share our nation’s secrets with reporters, in turn risking our national security and the lives of our soldiers, is a priority for this administration,” Blanche posted Tuesday on X.

“Any witness, whether a reporter or otherwise, who has information about these criminals should not be surprised if they receive a subpoena about the illegal leaking of classified material,” he added.

Blanche’s comments followed reporting from the Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trump privately expressed frustration over leaks involving U.S. military operations in Iran and urged stronger action against those responsible.

Patel also sparred repeatedly with Democratic lawmakers over reports questioning his conduct and management style.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Patel over allegations involving excessive drinking and claims that FBI personnel had difficulty reaching him.

Sen. @ChrisVanHollen (D-MD) to Kash Patel: “We cannot look away from the credible, extremely troubling reports about your misconduct…Reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming.” pic.twitter.com/9YXUNKqrwp

— CSPAN (@cspan) May 12, 2026

Patel called those accusations “unequivocally, categorically false.”

At one point, Patel accused Van Hollen of “slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dime,” triggering a heated exchange between the two men. Patel was referring to Van Hollen’s infamous visit to the country to see Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant who was briefly deported to El Salvador before he was returned and charged with human smuggling last year.

Today, I spoke with Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife, Jennifer. In April, when I met with him in El Salvador, Trump said he would never set foot in the U.S. again.

This case has never been about one man alone; if the govt can violate the constitutional rights of one, all our… pic.twitter.com/YRSB1AHNMo

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) December 13, 2025

Patel pointed to what he described as a historic 20-point decline in the national murder rate, along with 44,000 violent offender arrests and major increases in child exploitation and counterintelligence cases under his tenure. “The mission has never been more successful,” Patel said.

Patel also defended the FBI’s use of internal leak reviews and polygraphs more broadly, describing them as long-standing bureau procedures rather than politically motivated retaliation.

“No one at this FBI is allowed to politicize or weaponize law enforcement,” Patel said. “If you do, you don’t get to work there anymore.”

WATCH LIVE: KASH PATEL TESTIFIES ON FBI BUDGET REQUEST

The bureau is requesting more than $12.5 billion in appropriated funds, amounting to an 18% increase from fiscal 2026.

Patel was flanked by three other witnesses, including Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Robert Cekada, U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, and Drug Enforcement Administrator Terry Cole.