Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, faces what could be a contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, with questions expected over his experience level, brash rhetoric and concerns he would deploy the bureau to target the president’s foes.

Patel, who has been a longtime Trump supporter and was part of the president’s first stint in the White House tried to distance himself from the statement he made on numerous podcasts and in the appen