Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, said Thursday he would not designate concerned parents as “domestic terrorists” if approved to lead the agency.

The comment came during Patel’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., during the hearing asked Patel about deploying agents in schools where parents have expressed concerns about policies.

“Parents who have the courage to ensure their children are taught what they feel is right and those who have the courage and conviction to go to houses of worship in my book will never be domestic terrorists,” Patel said.

“I’m delighted to hear you say that,” Hawley responded.

Hawley then showed Patel a 2021 memo filed by Biden administration Attorney General Merrick Garland directing the FBI to investigate threats against school board members. The memo followed a since-retracted letter by the National Schools Boards Association (NSBA) likening concerned parents at school board meetings to “domestic terrorists.”

“Another gross abuse, incredible political power brought to bear against U.S. citizens, why?” Hawley asked. “Because they went to a school board meeting that they’re paying for and asked about what their kids are being taught.”

He then called on Patel to conduct an internal investigation to find the individuals responsible within the FBI.

“If confirmed and pursuant to your congressional request, then absolutely sir,” Patel said.

Parents rights groups Moms for Liberty (MFL) and Parents Defending Education (PDE) in 2023 expressed frustration after being recognized as “extremist groups” promoting “hate” by Southern Poverty Law Center.

“Name-calling parents who want to be a part of their child’s education as ‘hate groups’ or ‘bigoted’ just further exposes what this battle is all about,” MFL co-founders Tiffany Justice and Tina Descovich said in a statement. “Who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school?”

The Biden administration in late 2022 disbanded its National Parents and Families Engagement Council, formed just months prior. Parental rights groups, including PDE, filed a lawsuit that year claiming members of the council included people who supported the NSBA letter.

“Parents should NEVER be used as political props to advance radical policies that harm students,” PDE founder and president Nicole Neily wrote via social media while reacting to the disbandment.

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