Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on CBS' “Face the Nation” on Sunday accused host Margaret Brennan's network of bias against President-elect Donald Trump.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, we're going to look at the politics that are possible in a very complex caucus in the House of Representatives. However, since you are a member of the Judiciary Committee, let me ask you a question about the Senate. FBI director nominee Kash Patel has not even scheduled a hearing yet. In his 2022 memoir, Bill Barr wrote of Kass Patel, “He is a man with no background as an agent and cannot be afforded the respect necessary to carry out the day-to-day operations of the bureau.'' It will never be possible.” He has virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest levels of one of the world's leading law enforcement agencies…The idea of putting him in such a role showed a shocking departure from reality. . ”Was Attorney General Barr wrong then and now?
Graham: Well, he was wrong then and he's wrong now. And for Kash Patel, I'm taking some advice from my dear friend Trey Gordy from South Carolina, who worked with Kash. Kash was a public defender. He was a prosecutor. He worked with Trey Gordy on the Russia hoax. So I think he has experience. He has the president's trust and we'll see how this plays out. But Trey Gordy passionately supports Kash Patel, and that means a lot to me.
Brennan: Yeah, okay. But he has a published list that Kash Patel has. He published it in the “Book of Enemies.'' They include FBI Director Austin, Defense Secretary Bill Barr, former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, former CIA Director Gina Haskell, and CENTCOM Director. In other words, do you take his word for it here? Are these a list of enemies and are you going to put him in a law enforcement role and track him down?
GRAHAM: I believe that the hearing will show that he is a very qualified lawyer. he wrote a book. He has to answer questions about the content of the book, but I know him well so I'm prepared to vote for him. Look, you never asked me about the Russian hoax he exposed. People on the right believe he was part of the solution, not the problem. You asked a good question Brett, did Israel suffer because of this war? They went too far on the world stage. Here's what happened on the world stage. The International Criminal Court will face sanctions as Congressional Republicans and Democrats seek to prosecute the Israeli prime minister.
BRENNAN: — Lindsey- Lindsey Graham, this is a very different question than the question about Kash Patel. He took me from Kash Patel to Israel. you-
GRAHAM: — Yeah, let’s go back to Kash Patel.
BRENNAN: — are you going to vote for him no matter what? —
GRAHAM: — Yeah.
BRENNAN: Are you going to vote for Kash Patel?
Graham: I won't say anything. But I am ready to vote for Kash Patel, yes. Because you'll never ask what role he played in exposing the FBI's darkest moments since Edgar J. Edgar Hoover. That's why I trust him.
Brennan: Okay. Ask him about tracking journalists. He says so too. I'm interested in the answer to that question. I’ll be back soon –
GRAHAM: — I think our Democratic friends will ask him. And you don't have to worry about Kash Patel. We should be concerned about reporting the news fairly, but not when it comes to everything about Trump.
Brennan: Lindsey Graham, the reason you're a guest on this show is because we wanted to hear from you –
Graham: – Anyway, thank you –
BRENNAN: —and thank you for having me again—
Graham: — Right. thank you-
BRENNAN: — as we often do with legacy media all the time —
GRAHAM: — I'll be back. I'll be back. –
Brennan: I'll be right back.
