Democratic senators are preparing to oppose President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Kash Patel to lead the FBI, as indicated by their questions during the confirmation hearing for attorney general nominee Pam Bondi.

Several Democrats, who seemed open to backing Bondi’s confirmation, expressed their worries about the possibility of Patel leading the intelligence agency. This agency operates under the Justice Department, which the attorney general oversees. Patel’s Senate confirmation hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Patel, a former federal prosecutor and Republican congressional aide, has previously remarked that if he were named FBI director, he would close the FBI Hoover Building on his first day and reopen it as a museum dedicated to the so-called “deep state.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump referred to Patel’s 2023 book, “Government Gangsters,” as a “blueprint to dismantle the Deep State’s control.”

Even some fellow Republicans have raised concerns about Patel. Bill Barr, who served as attorney general during Trump’s first term, wrote in his memoir that when Trump contemplated appointing Patel as FBI deputy director, he told White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows that it would only happen “over my dead body.”

Despite this, the concerns expressed at Wednesday’s hearing came primarily from Democratic senators. Here are some of their remarks:

Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar

Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, stated that she has “serious concerns” regarding the possibility of Patel leading the FBI. She pointed out that Patel has labeled the FBI’s intelligence divisions as its “biggest issue” and expressed a desire to “remove that segment” from the agency.

Klobuchar emphasized the significance of the bureau’s intelligence division, stating that it is “vital in protecting us from foreign threats like China.”

Bondi responded that she would review Patel’s comments and that both she and Patel would, if confirmed, “make sure that all laws are adhered to.”

However, this response didn’t seem to satisfy Klobuchar.

“While I agree that you would be in charge of Kash Patel, I have doubts about your ability to influence every decision he makes or to be aware of his actions,” she commented.

Later in the hearing, Klobuchar referenced an ongoing lawsuit where Trump is challenging a Iowa pollster regarding results published just days before the November 5 election, showing Biden performing significantly better than he ultimately did, and highlighted Patel’s criticism of media figures.

According to the Hill, Patel stated on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast in 2023, “We’re going to target media figures who have lied about American citizens involved in helping Joe Biden manipulate presidential elections.”

Numerous recounts and audits have confirmed Biden’s victory in the 2020 election, despite Trump’s ongoing rejection of this fact.

Klobuchar questioned Bondi about her stance if Trump or the FBI director decided to “target the media.”

“Clearly, he has made some statements, but I have not discussed this with Mr. Patel,” Bondi replied. “Targeting the media simply for being the media is certainly wrong.”

Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal

Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, also expressed doubts about Patel’s capability to lead the FBI, citing Patel’s remarks regarding the 2020 election and his desire to target the “deep state.”

“Does that seem like a suitable person for the director of the FBI? Aren’t those comments out of line? Shouldn’t you ask him to retract those statements?” Blumenthal challenged Bondi for her opinion.

Bondi admitted she wasn’t fully aware of “all those comments,” but defended Patel’s experience as a former public defender and his extensive background in the intelligence community.

“He will follow the law if I become the attorney general of the United States, and I trust he won’t act otherwise,” Bondi affirmed.

Delaware Sen. Chris Coons

Senator Chris Coons, a Democrat from Delaware, shared his apprehensions about Patel, contrasting him with former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who resigned in December. Although Wray was a Trump appointee, he later became a target of Trump’s criticism. Coons stated Wray performed “exceptionally” in the face of efforts to find nonexistent election interference.

“He’s being pushed out so he can be succeeded by someone loyal who has publicly stated he will obey the president’s requests,” Coons commented about Patel.

Patel could not be reached for comment immediately, and the Trump transition team did not promptly respond to inquiries.