A tense Capitol Hill hearing took an unexpected turn this week when cameras picked up something no one was supposed to see: a set of personal notes scribbled by Director Patel that looked more like a pep talk than serious preparation.
The House Judiciary Committee session was originally convened to tackle heavy issues, including political violence and the handling of Epstein-related documents. But attention quickly shifted when viewers at home spotted Patel’s notepad, clearly labeled “Director Patel,” with handwritten affirmations in blue ink.
The words read: “Good fight with Swalwell. Hold the line. Brush off their attacks. Rise above next line of partisan attacks.”
Kash Patel at the National Sheriff’s Association conference, Photo Credit: fbidirectorkash/Instagram
The internet pounced almost immediately. Social media users mocked the notes as juvenile and even embarrassing. One commenter quipped, “This is like the pep talk I give myself before Thanksgiving with my in-laws.” Another chimed in: “Lmfao, he’s writing affirmations to himself. Cringe.”
Others were less forgiving. “What kind of grown man needs to write reminders to stay strong? This is sad,” one critic posted. Another added bluntly: “This guy looks like he hyped himself up in the mirror before walking in.”
Kash Patel at the Concerns of Police Survivors Conference, Photo Credit: fbidirectorkash/Instagram
The combination of motivational scribbles and the custom-branded stationery gave the story legs online. Memes circulated within minutes, amplifying the spectacle.
But beyond the viral moment, the hearing itself was a combative showdown. Patel locked horns with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), who pressed him repeatedly on whether President Donald Trump’s name appeared in any Epstein-related documents. Patel bristled at the line of questioning, accusing Swalwell of cheap theatrics.
Kash Patel with new academy participants at the FBI National Academy’s Yellow Brick Road, Photo Credit: fbidirectorkash/Instagram
Patel fired back sharply, his tone growing louder: “Your obsession with this issue and your false claims that I’m protecting pedophiles are absolutely disgusting.”
The exchange spiraled into a heated back-and-forth. Swalwell mocked Patel’s cadence, even sarcastically telling him to “spell it out with the alphabet” when accusing him of being evasive.
The Democrat escalated further, suggesting Patel’s reluctance to provide clear answers reflected a “consciousness of guilt.” He went on to accuse Patel of playing a “shell game” with his testimony.
Swalwell punctuated his tirade by declaring, “The court calls bulls**.”*
Patel wasted no time firing back. “I’ll borrow your terminology,” he said sharply, “and call bulls*** on your entire career in Congress.”
Closeup shot of Kash Patel’s private notes during disaster hearing in congress, Photo Credit: Rasheedah S./X
The fiery exchange underscored the deep partisan divide in Washington, where even hearings on national security and high-profile cases like Epstein devolve into shouting matches and viral moments.
Still, it wasn’t Patel’s answers that dominated headlines afterward — it was his notepad. The notes intended to steel his nerves ended up exposing him to ridicule, leaving many to wonder if the most memorable part of the day was not the policy debate, but the peek behind the curtain.
