Judge harshly criticized eventual FBI Directory Kash Patel over grand jury avoidance

A federal judge had some sharp words for FBI Director Kashyap "Kash" Patel – years before he served in the executive role – over his efforts to avoid providing grand jury testimony to then-special counsel Jack Smith , recently unearthed court files show.

Patel ultimately did testify before Smith's grand jury – though the details of that testimony are still a closely-guarded secret. Patel's under oath responses only came, however, after substantial efforts to avail himself of rights under the First, Fifth and Sixth Amendments.

Overseeing the matter at the time was U.S. District Judge Beryl A. Howell, a Barack Obama appointee, who rubbished those arguments and grew increasingly dismissive of the stonewalling efforts.

"Mr. Patel supports his motion by reference to the First, Fifth, and Six