FBI employees were terminated or forced to quit Thursday within hours of FBI Director nominee Kash Patel’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

At least 20 executive assistant directors, assistant directors and special agents in charge from throughout the U.S. were forced out of the agency, according to sources.

Several officials had already boxed up their offices before they were officially notified of their termination.

The FBI declined to comment on the terminations.

After Thursday’s hearing, Mr. Patel, despite clashing with the Senate’s Democratic minority, appeared on a glide path to confirmation.

Democrats on the Judiciary Committee attempted to pigeonhole Mr. Patel into responding to recent Justice Department firings and if he was aware of any plans to punish FBI agents or personnel associated with past investigations targeting President Trump.

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Mr. Patel responded that he had nothing to do with any of the recent terminations at the DOJ and he was not aware of any plans to punish FBI agents or personnel associated with previous Trump investigations.

However, Mr. Trump selected Mr. Patel to overhaul the FBI, which Republicans have long said is rife with corruption and has been politicized against conservatives.

Mr. Patel, who has served in high-level adviser positions related to national security, said at his confirmation hearing that he planned to stop the “weaponization” of the FBI.

“There will be no politicization of the FBI. There will be no retributive actions,” he told senators.

• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.