Calif., during his FBI directorial confirmation hearing, particularly in regard to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots.ot.

President Donald Trump’s new administration is looking ahead to key Senate hearings this week for three of his most controversial nominees.

President Donald Trump’s pick to run the FBI, Kash Patel, downplayed his past promotion of right-wing conspiracy theories and his pledges to pursue retribution against Trump’s opponents on Thursday at his combative Senate confirmation hearing.

FBI director nominee Kash Patel broke with President Donald Trump over commuting sentences for Jan. 6, 2021 violence against law enforcement.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, is insisting to deeply skeptical Democrats that he did not have an “enemies list” and that the bureau under his leadership would not seek retribution against the president’s adversaries or launch politically motivated investigations.

During his confirmation hearing, Kash Patel appeared to break from President Trump when he told senators he disagreed with the pardons for January 6 defendants convicted of violent crimes. NBC News' Ken Dilanian reports on the questions Patel faced as he looks to serve as the next FBI director.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. continued to press Patel in blistering terms over President Trump's sweeping pardons for Jan. 6 rioters. The senator then pressed Patel directly, u

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, is facing a contentious confirmation hearing Thursday, with Democrats focused on his plans to overhaul the bureau and whether he'll seek legal retribution against Trump's political opponents.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee for FBI director, and Sen. Amy Klobuchar had a tense exchange at Patel's confirmation hearing Wednesday on Capitol Hill.

Kash Patel faces Senate scrutiny over his FBI director nomination, addressing concerns about political bias and law enforcement independence.

Political firebrand Kash Patel is facing tough questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee as he seeks to become the next FBI director. (Scripps News)