FBI Director Kash Patel made his first statement as director after he was sworn in Friday, with a challenge to the media and a promise of sweeping reforms within the bureau.

Patel began his speech by expressing gratitude towards his supporters, then transitioned into a detailed breakdown of his upcoming plans for the FBI. He also turned to the press and directed any criticisms towards himself to protect his team from the media’s scrutiny.

“I know the media is in here, and if you have a target, that target is right here. It is not the men and women at the FBI. And everything you possibly can [say] about me that’s fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory, keep it coming, bring it on, but leave the men and women of the FBI out of it,” Patel said.

“I promise you the following: There will be accountability within the FBI and outside of the FBI. And we will do it through rigorous constitutional oversight starting this weekend.”

With Attorney General Pam Bondi by his side, Patel said the public can expect a fair and just system under their leadership.

“For those of you who think that there’s going to be a two-tier system of justice, not with Attorney General Bondi, there’s a singular system of justice for all Americans, and there will be accountability,” Patel added. “The reason that this mission is so important is simply the following: 100,000 people last year raped [and] 100,000 people died of CCP fentanyl overdose in heroin [and] 17,000 homicides. Violent crime is out of control.”

Patel was confirmed as President Donald Trump’s new FBI director on Thursday afternoon. The Senate approved his nomination with a close vote of 51-49, despite Democratic lawmakers’ attempts to postpone the confirmation.

Patel, previously the chief of staff to the secretary of Defense during Trump’s first term, gained notoriety for his criticism of the Mueller investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election. The newly confirmed FBI director also criticized the misuse of surveillance powers, advocating for the establishment of a “24/7 declassification office.”

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