Tensions flared in Congress this past week as Democrats and Republicans accused each other of weaponizing the government for political gain, with FBI Director Kash Patel at the center of the debate.

During a House hearing, Rep. Madeline Dean, D-PA, confronted Patel, referencing his book that lists individuals he labeled as “Government Gangsters.” Dean expressed concern over the targeting of people from this list through executive orders and FBI investigations.

“It concerns me how many people from this blueprint have been targeted with executive orders and FBI investigations. The FBI cannot be weaponized, and under your leadership it’s been nothing but a weapon,” Dean said.

Patel responded, “Ma’am, you want to know who was targeted by a weaponized FBI? Me.”

Dean also wondered if Patel committed perjury for saying in his Senate confirmation hearing testimony he wasn’t familiar with Stew Peters, a far-right wing conspiracy theorist who has antisemitic beliefs, despite being on Peters’ podcast eight times.

“We should worry more about your lack of candor. You’re accusing me of committing perjury? Tell the American people how I broke the law and committed a felony,” Patel said. “Have the audacity to actually put the facts forward instead of lying for political banter so you can have a 20-second donation hit. The answer is your failing, not me.”

Critics, including Patel and former President Donald Trump, have accused the Biden administration of using the Department of Justice to prosecute Trump and Republican voters. Trump made it a central part of his campaign and during the early months of his presidency.

“They weaponized the vast powers of our intelligence and law enforcement agencies to try and thwart the will of the American people,” he said while addressing the DOJ in March.

The debate intensified after the release of a declassified memo by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

The memo, written after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, aimed to counter domestic terrorism.

Critics argue it outlines a plan for law enforcement to target Republicans.

A notable example cited by critics involves protests by parents at school board meetings over curriculum and COVID policies. In 2021, former Attorney General Merrick Garland directed the FBI to monitor “harassment,” “intimidation,” and “threats of violence” against school board members.

This directive came after a letter from the National School Boards Association to President Joe Biden suggesting the use of the Patriot Act and labeling some parents as domestic terrorists. The association later apologized for the letter.

Republicans pounced on the issue, and Garland played defense at the time.

“My memo says nothing about domestic terrorism, says nothing about parents committing such things,” he said during an October 2021 hearing.

Parents in Michigan and Virginia, claiming their First Amendment rights were violated, took their case to multiple courts, but the Supreme Court declined to hear the case last year.

Have a news tip? Contact Matt Galka at mjgalka@sbgtv.com.