Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) hinted at a deliberate approach to confirming President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, including Kash Patel for FBI director. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Klobuchar argued there was no urgency to approve Patel, despite recent terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas, claiming the FBI is “very functional.”

“The FBI investigated New Orleans, investigated Las Vegas, and told the public exactly what was going on,” Klobuchar said. Her comments have raised concerns among Republicans, who argue that delaying Patel’s confirmation risks undermining national security during a critical time.

Amy Klobuchar is a liar

— gina lepore (@LeporeGina) January 7, 2025

Klobuchar emphasized the Senate’s duty to thoroughly vet Trump’s nominees, saying, “We must have an FBI check on Kash Patel and these other nominees for these very serious security positions.” She also pointed to concerns about conflicts of interest among Trump’s appointees, stating, “The president elect has put in a number of billionaires that could have all kinds of conflicts into these jobs.”

Also remember Sen. Amy Klobuchar indicated she had no interest in hearing from Robert Hur, after the special counsel called into question President Biden‘s mental acuity in a report on his mishandling of classified documents.-Washington Times https://t.co/qO54PtZcl3

— Sue Ellen (@EstergrenSue) January 7, 2025

Critics see Klobuchar’s remarks as a signal that Democrats plan to stall Trump’s nominees, effectively delaying the FBI from getting the leadership aligned with the new administration. Patel, known for exposing misconduct in high-profile investigations, has been a polarizing figure in Washington.

I totally agree with you , I used to think Klobuchar was just a flolksy liberal. I didn’t agree with her politics, but I found her kind of likable. How did I not see her for the disgusting swamp creature that she is?

— Evelyn Hurley (@EHurley93252) January 7, 2025

Some have speculated that Klobuchar’s reluctance to expedite Patel’s confirmation may reflect concerns over what a reform-minded FBI director could uncover about Democratic allies. Patel’s history of challenging bureaucratic norms and shining light on political controversies has made him a contentious pick.

The terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas have heightened calls for strong leadership at the FBI, with Trump allies urging the Senate to prioritize Patel’s confirmation to ensure the agency’s effectiveness.