The Senate Judiciary Committee's Republican chairman has signaled his support for FBI Director Kash Patel.

Patel is confronting skeptical Senate Democrats at a hearing likely to be dominated by questions about the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s killing and the firings of senior FBI officials who've accused Patel of illegal political retribution.

Tuesday's appearance represents the first oversight hearing of Patel’s tumultuous tenure.

The hearing provides a platform for Patel to try to reassure wary lawmakers he's the right person for the job at a time of internal upheaval and mounting concerns about political violence.

Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley praises Patel for beginning the work of "returning the FBI to its law enforcement mission.”

The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin, opened his remarks by criticizing Patel for the removal of career FBI officials and the diversion of agents to help with immigration enforcement.

Durbin called Patel “arguably the most partisan FBI director ever,” saying he has “already inflicted untold damage on the FBI.” Durbin accused Patel of putting the country’s “national security and public safety at risk.”

Patel has concluded his opening statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee with a bit of a challenge for his critics: “I’m not going anywhere.”

The FBI director pointed to his experience as a congressional staffer and Trump administration official, saying, “If you want to criticize my 16 years of service, please bring it on.”

Senate Republicans have continued to express confidence in Patel despite criticism from some conservative commentators of how he’s led the FBI’s response to the killing of Charlie Kirk.

Democrats, meanwhile, will intensely question Patel over what they say is a highly politicized approach to the FBI.