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Kash Patel defends FBI hiring policy on applicants who have engaged in bestiality
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- FBI Director Kash Patel defended the agency's decision to remove automatic disqualification for applicants who engaged in bestiality, stating it aimed to avoid punishing victims forced into such acts through human trafficking.
- The issue arose during a Senate judiciary committee hearing, where Senators Dick Durbin and John Kennedy questioned the rationale behind loosening hiring restrictions related to prostitution and bestiality.
- The FBI clarified that the policy change does not relax hiring standards but allows consideration of the "whole person" in cases where past acts occurred under coercion or before the age of 18.
- Senator Kennedy criticized the decision, expressing concerns about its impact on the FBI’s reputation and agent recruitment, while Durbin argued the change protects those who engaged in bestiality, not just victims.
- The FBI has not disclosed how many applicants were affected by this policy change, and the rule also permits consideration of candidates who engaged in certain offenses under specific circumstances.
