FBI director facing backlash after showing up to Senate hearing in £15 Liverpool tie

FBI director Kash Patel has come under fire for wearing a Liverpool Football Club tie, priced at just £15, during his Senate hearing. Patel was giving evidence to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday and began his testimony by defending his investigation into the death of right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk last week, amid criticism over his behaviour and comments on social media about the incident.

He also answered questions about the Jeffrey Epstein case and allegations that he had dismissed FBI agents because they opposed President Donald Trump. However, it was his choice of attire that caught the attention of eagle-eyed viewers online. Patel was seen wearing a tie showing his support for Liverpool FC. The tie costs just £15, which amused those watching.

"Kash Patel wearing a Liverpool FC tie to his senate hearing....very professional," one user on X remarked.

Another questioned his decision more directly, writing: "For his first-ever congressional hearing as the FBI Director, Kash Patel chose to wear a Liverpool FC tie. Is that patriotic for supposedly the top cop of America?".

"Umm... why is Kash Patel wearing a @LFC tie at his Senate oversight hearing? ! ? ! ? ? They don't even play today," said another user, as confusion over Patel's choice spread quickly.

It was indeed a strange choice by the 45-year-old, and even Liverpool fans were not happy. One jokingly said it made him "want to rip my eyes out."

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Rival supporters were quick to ridicule the bold choice of neckwear, posting: "To everyone that thought something about @FBIDirectorKash Patel is off or wrong, we now have a definitive answer: he's a Liverpool (@LFC) fan. @ChelseaFC forever #GoBlues."

Patel has previously shown his support for the current Premier League champions. He wore the same Liverpool tie earlier this year, and also in December before being sworn into his present role at the FBI.

Throughout his testimony, Patel insisted that the Discord chat where the Kirk shooting suspect allegedly confessed had been "leaked."

He suggested any information could be used "in prosecution" before declaring: "We're also going to be investigating anyone and everyone involved in that Discord chat."

Patel also refuted the idea that he's ever ordered FBI staff to be sacked because they worked on investigations into Trump and the January 6, 2021, disturbance at the U.S. Capitol.

He said: "The only way, generally speaking, an individual is terminated at the FBI is if they have violated their oath of office, violated the law, or failed to uphold the standards that we need them to have at the FBI."