Washington, Sept. 17 -- Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel was involved in a heated exchange with Democrats in the Senate Judiciary Committee, including Senator Adam Schiff, local media reported.

During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Schiff questioned Patel over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which quickly turned combative. Patel told Schiff his role was to protect the "weaponization of intelligence from the likes of you."

The lawmaker is also a frequent target of US President Donald Trump, The Hill reported.

"We have countlessly proven you to be a liar in Russiagate, in January 6. You are the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate, you are a disgrace to this institution and...