The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee has requested information from several government agencies and departments regarding allegations that Kash Patel violated protocols during an attempted hostage rescue mission in 2020.

Mr Patel is especially keen on pursuing leakers and their friends in the media. “When you have an underlying illegality committed by a government agent, anyone that participates in that illegality can and should be charged,” Mr Patel has said. He has also suggested “clawback mechanisms” for the money that news outlets make “by printing lies”.

Patel is a controversial nominee, having long raged against the so-called Deep State and prioritized his loyalty to Trump.

Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and Mitch McConnell voted against confirming Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary. To Capitol insiders, their decisions weren’t surprising.

US President-elect Donald Trump has filled key posts in his upcoming administration, leaning on allies and strong loyalists from his 2024 campaign as he shapes a team that reflects his commitment to an ‘America First agenda.

A Princeton and Harvard-educated former combat veteran, Hegseth went on to make a career at Fox News, where he hosted a weekend show. Trump tapped him as the defense secretary to lead an organization with nearly 2.1 million service members, about 780,000 civilians and a budget of $850 billion.

More Trump nominees with potentially rocky paths to confirmation face hearings in the Senate this week, including Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Kash Patel.

The Senate confirmed Pete Hegseth late Friday, swatting back questions about his qualifications to lead the Pentagon.

Patel is a controversial nominee, having long raged against the so-called Deep State and prioritized his loyalty to Trump.

Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News personality, was confirmed as the new Secretary of Defense after Vice President J.D. Vance cast the tie-breaking vote. Hegseth faced a sexual assault allegation and questions about his past.

Kash Patel was asked to explain his position on the January 6 Capitol riot after facing criticism for his past comments. Patel assured senators at his confirmation hearing that he condemns violence against law enforcement and that anyone who commits it should be investigated.