The senator was fielding questions about the various nominees while on Face the Nation Sunday, where he said he was “ready to vote for Kash Patel” to head the FBI. Graham said he is ready to confirm the Cabinet nominations of President-elect Donald Trump as soon as the inauguration is complete on Monday.

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“Okay. Ask him about going after journalists which he’s also said. I’m interested in the answer to that question,” Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan said before she tried to cut to a break.

“I’m sure Democrats will ask him. You shouldn’t worry about Kash Patel,” Graham said. “You should worry about reporting the news fairly which you don’t do when it comes to everything Trump.”

Brennan did not respond to the accusation of her bias.

“Lindsey Graham, you are a guest on this program because we wanted to hear you out and we welcome you back, as we often do anytime to legacy media,” Brennan said.

“I will be back,” Graham said.

Brennan was referring to a 2023 podcast interview Patel did with Steven Bannon during which Patel told Bannon, “We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out.” 

Patel previously served as the chief of staff to the Department of Defense under Trump’s first administration. He’s known for his prediction that if he were to lead the bureau, he would close down the Washington, D.C. headquarters and deploy thousands of employees across the country to work in law enforcement. 

Patel is set to replace Christopher Wray, who began his post in 2017. FBI Directors have a tradition of serving 10-year terms. However, Trump fired Wray’s predecessor, James Comey, four years into his post. Patel would be the ninth director to the bureau.