Watch | Trump’s FBI nominee Kash Patel touches parents’ feet, greets ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ at Senate hearing

During the hearing, Senator Lindsey Graham asked Patel if he had ever faced racism. Patel confirmed that he had, recalling a deeply offensive slur he had encountered.

“Unfortunately, Senator, yes. I don’t want to get into those details with my family here,” Patel said.

He continued, “I was called a detestable — and I’ll apologise if I don’t get it all right, but it’s in the record — a detestable sand nigger who had no right being in this country. You should go back to where you came from. You belong with your terrorist home friends. That’s what was sent to me. That’s just a piece of it, but that’s nothing compared to what the men and women in law enforcement face every day.”

Who is Kash Patel?

Born in New York in 1980 to Gujarati parents, Patel spent part of his childhood in East Africa before returning to the US. He graduated from Garden City High School in Long Island and later earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond. He then completed his law degree and a certificate in International Law from the University College London Faculty of Laws in the United Kingdom.

Patel has held several key roles in government, including serving as the National Security Advisor and Senior Counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI).

If confirmed, Patel would make history as the first Hindu and Indian American to serve as FBI Director.