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Bureau Chief Patel delivered unyielding statements in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, during increasing examination of his management of the probe into the killing of activist Charlie Kirk in Utah.

A Performance for an Audience of One

The director's testimony on the Hill occurred while Democrats and other opponents have criticised the way he and the FBI have handled the probe into the youth leader's assassination—especially an inaccurate online statement that an individual had been arrested. Officials later said that two people had been interviewed and let go.

Ahead of the session, Patel took the unusual step of twice going on Fox News, defending his approach of the investigation and detailing surprising information that he claims the Bureau has discovered.

Before the panel, Patel argued that the individual in the Kirk killing was taken into custody just a short time after the FBI released new images and footage.

Political Shouting Match

Committee members on the committee sought to paint a picture of disorder and incompetence at the Bureau, pointing to the organization's handling of Kirk's assassination and former agents alleging they were fired for political reasons.

But Patel showed no signs of backing down, concluding his introductory statement with the phrase “bring it on” and speaking over Democrats on the committee.

In one especially fiery exchange, he called one senator a “political buffoon” as the senator questioned him about a high-profile case.

Florida and Missouri Next in Crime Crackdown

While he did not reveal specific operational plans, Patel suggested the next American urban areas that could face a increase in federal resources or military deployments to combat lawlessness.

Answering a query by a GOP lawmaker, Patel listed a number of American cities that might be targeted.

“It was done in DC. We're doing it in Tennessee. Next will be to Illinois, Florida, St Louis—numerous other locations across the nation,” he said.

“I'm not afraid of you!” — Kash Patel during a heated confrontation.

Legal experts have questioned the lawfulness of using military personnel in American urban areas, and a federal judge in the state previously ruled that a comparable deployment in Los Angeles was illegal.