Attorney General Nessel Urges Senate to Demand Answers on Retaliation Efforts from FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel

LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a coalition of 20 attorneys general are calling on the Senate Judiciary Committee to require further questioning of Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI Director. In a letter addressed to Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley, Attorney General Nessel expressed grave concerns over recent reports of politically motivated firings at the FBI and efforts to compile a list of agents involved in investigating the January 6th Capitol riots. 

“Our partnership with the FBI has been critical to dismantling some of Michigan’s most dangerous criminal operations, from violent offenders to human trafficking rings, and securing justice for victims,” Nessel said. “This purge of career law enforcement officials within the FBI for doing their jobs isn’t just political retribution. It is a direct threat to the safety of Michiganders. Gutting resources and forcing out experienced agents will weaken our ability to hold criminals accountable and put our communities at risk. Michigan residents deserve answers.”   

Beyond concerns over an FBI purge, the letter condemns additional attacks on law enforcement by the Trump administration, highlighting unprecedented efforts to undermine public safety, including the firing of United States Attorneys, the pardoning of rioters who killed and injured Capitol Police officers, and attempts to cut off funding for law enforcement across the country. 

Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending the letter are the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

A copy of the letter is available here (PDF).