FBI Director Kash Patel has defended his agency's decision to roll back restrictions on agent applicants who have previously engaged in bestiality. Patel argued the FBI "did not want to punish victims of bestiality" by automatically disqualifying them.
The policy change was discussed during a Senate judiciary committee oversight hearing on Tuesday. Democrat Dick Durbin and Republican John Kennedy questioned Patel's decision to remove barriers that previously prevented applicants who engaged in prostitution and bestiality from being qualified for an FBI job.
Patel stated the change was recommended after he reviewed "cases" where qualified FBI applicants were denied consideration because they had been forced into bestiality as a result of human trafficking. The rule change, first reported in August, allows the FBI to consider candidates who engaged in bestiality or animal cruelty, provided the incident took place before they were 18 years old.
Senator Kennedy questioned Patel on the change, arguing it "really hurt" the FBI's reputation. Durbin also challenged Patel's characterisation, claiming the change protected those who engaged in bestiality, not just victims.
Democrats sent a letter to Patel on Monday requesting more information about the rule change and the applicants affected.