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Washington Examiner says Durbin pressed Patel on the bestiality hiring rule; The Hill says Kennedy grilled him

We hold four reports on the FBI director's Senate oversight hearing. Two headlines name two different senators as the one pressing him. Only one report prints Patel's reason for the change.

Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders
Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders as published by Washington Examiner · seen at Washington Examiner
United States United States

The dispute. FBI Director Kash Patel went before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Two headlines name two different senators as the one who pressed him on the same question: why the FBI dropped its automatic hiring bar on applicants who had engaged in bestiality.

Outlet Senator its headline names Verb in its opening line
Washington Examiner Dick Durbin (D-IL) "pressed … multiple times"
The Hill John Kennedy (R-La.) "grilled"

Where they overlap. The Examiner's report also quotes Kennedy. It is the only one of the four we hold in full. We hold only the opening of The Hill's report, so we cannot say whether it names Durbin further down.

Patel's reason. Only the Examiner prints it. Patel says some applicants were "victims who were trafficked". The Examiner says acts before age 18 no longer rule an applicant out automatically. Kennedy told the Examiner he was "still a little confused".

What the hearing was about. The Washington Post leads with Patel's firings of employees he says "politicized law enforcement". The Hill's preview leads with his "personal travel" and the FBI's "luxury armored BMWs". 2 of 4 reports say the scrutiny comes from Democrats.

Not settled. - Durbin's questioning rests on one report, the Examiner's, and a post by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) that it quotes. - We hold only the opening lines of 3 of the 4 reports. - We could not read Reuters or MSNBC on the hearing.

What this is about. The FBI quietly changed the list of past conduct that bars someone from being hired. At a Senate oversight hearing on Tuesday, senators of both parties asked its director why.

How it got here. The FBI is the United States' main federal police and domestic intelligence agency. Its director is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate, and the Senate Judiciary Committee is the panel that oversees the bureau — directors appear before it in public to answer for how it is run. Kash Patel, nominated by President Donald Trump, was confirmed as director in February 2025.

Everyone who applies to the bureau is screened against published hiring standards: a list of things in a person's past that rule them out. The Washington Examiner reports that in June the FBI overturned the standard under which admitting to bestiality or animal abuse disqualified an applicant automatically, and that CBS News reported the change more recently. The Examiner says other thresholds moved too, covering applicants who solicited prostitution or stole from an employer.

Who is involved. Patel, defending the change. Sen. Dick Durbin, an Illinois Democrat on the committee, who the Examiner says led a letter signed by Democratic lawmakers the day before the hearing, asking for documentation on the policy change by 28 September. Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican on the same committee, who questioned Patel about it separately. Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican, who counted the mentions on X.

What is at stake. Whether the bureau lowered its standards or narrowed a rule that caught people it should not have — and whether the committee gets the paperwork behind the decision.

Where it stands. The hearing happened; the documents Democrats asked for are not due until 28 September. The hiring rule sits alongside separate questions at the same hearing about Patel's travel, the bureau's vehicle purchases, and the employees he has dismissed.

The story so far

Earlier stories The AI Times filed on this thread.

What is being argued about

  • Why the FBI dropped its automatic hiring bar on applicants who had engaged in bestiality, and Patel's reason for it
  • Which senators pressed Patel: Durbin, a Democrat, or Kennedy, a Republican
  • Patel's firings of FBI employees he says politicized law enforcement
  • Patel's personal travel and the FBI's purchase of armored BMWs
Four reports, four different openingsSide by side
OutletWho it names as questioning PatelWhat it leads withWho it says the scrutiny comes from
Washington ExaminerDurbin in the headline, then KennedyDurbin pressing Patel on the hiring bar"Democratic members of Congress"
The Hill (hearing)KennedyKennedy "grilled" Patel on the hiring changenot stated in the lines we hold
The Hill (preview)no senator namedPatel defending his travel and "luxury armored BMWs""Democrats on the panel"
The Washington Post"senators", none namedPatel defending his firingsnot stated in the lines we hold
We hold the Washington Examiner's report in full. For the other three we hold only the opening lines.
Sources Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Patel defends travel, vehicle acquisition ahead of hearing Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
From the rule change to the hearingTimeline
  1. June— no time published FBI Drops the automatic bar on applicants who engaged in bestiality before age 18per the Washington Examiner
  2. 2026-09-14— no time published Sen. Dick Durbin and Democratic lawmakers Send a letter asking for documents on the lowered hiring standards deadline Sept. 28per the Washington Examiner
  3. 2026-09-14— no time published Kash Patel Defends his personal travel and the FBI's purchase of armored BMWsper The Hill
  4. 2026-09-1509:00 publication time, UTC The Washington Post Leads with Patel defending his firings
  5. 2026-09-1513:04 publication time, UTC The Hill Preview: Democrats expected to press Patel
  6. 2026-09-1515:05 publication time, UTC The Hill Kennedy "grilled" Patel on the hiring change
  7. 2026-09-1516:15 publication time, UTC Washington Examiner Durbin "pressed" Patel; Patel's reason printed
Report times are publication times in UTC. The Washington Examiner gives the month of the rule change but no year.
Sources Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Patel defends travel, vehicle acquisition ahead of hearing Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
What the four reports carryChart
These are counts of what the published text says. They are not a rating of any outlet. We hold only the opening lines of three reports.
Sources Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Patel defends travel, vehicle acquisition ahead of hearing Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
The bias in this coverageBias

Four reports, three different questioners

One headline names the Democrat who pressed Patel. One names a Republican. Two describe the scrutiny as coming from Democrats, and only one report carries senators from both parties.

4 reports we hold on the hearing 1 name the Democratic questioner 2 name the Republican questioner 2 frame the scrutiny as Democratic

Patel's defence comes first in half

Two of four reports open with Patel defending himself: his travel, his vehicles, his firings. Three of the four reach us only as an opening paragraph, so what comes after is text we do not hold.

2 open with Patel's defence 3 held only as an opening paragraph
Scored without the mastheads. Where the two passes differ, both are kept.
Sources Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Patel defends travel, vehicle acquisition ahead of hearing Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Claims and verdicts

true The FBI dropped its automatic hiring ban on applicants who had engaged in bestiality.
The Washington Examiner reports the change and quotes Patel defending it at the hearing. The Hill independently reports a shift in FBI hiring practices that lifted the long-standing bar.
Checked against 2 sources:
Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
true Republican Sen. John Kennedy questioned Patel about the hiring change.
The Hill and the Washington Examiner both report Kennedy's questions, and the Examiner quotes his exchange with Patel. Neither report is contradicted by the others we hold.
Checked against 2 sources:
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
unverified Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin pressed Patel on the change several times.
Only the Washington Examiner reports Durbin's questions, quoting Patel's reply and a post by Sen. Mike Lee counting Durbin's use of the word. The Hill's report names only Kennedy, and The Washington Post's preview does not mention the topic.
Checked against 3 sources:
Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →

Who wrote it

D David Zimmermann Washington Examiner
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Asserted vs attributed The outlet states the board's intent as demonstrated fact rather than attributing it to the filing it is reporting.×1
Cause named in the report's voice the report gives the collapse one cause; the only person quoted gives a different one, blaming unnamed predecessors×1
Framing of scrutiny scrutiny is credited to Democrats, though the same report quotes a Republican senator questioning Patel×1
Hedged versus stated the spending allegation is hedged as alleged×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
2 misleading4 unverified2 true
From 183 reports we hold under this byline, at Washington Examiner, Fox News. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
R Rebecca Beitsch The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Actor named in the sentence the administration is the subject of the verb, and the workers are outgoing×1
Choice of verb for the same spend the payment is defined by what the workers did not do×1
Hedge on targets the targets are hedged as 'perceived' enemies×1
Passive headline, active lede the headline leaves the payer out; the first sentence names the administration doing the paying×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 misleading1 disputed1 unverified5 true
From 53 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
S Sarah Davis The Hill
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Asserted not attributed States the purpose of the payments flat, in the administration's terms.×1
Asserted versus attributed the same two days listed without a characterising adjective on any speech×1
Asserted vs attributed states the purpose flat, in the administration's terms, with no attribution×1
Attributed characterisation Carries Trump's description of the fund. The description is attributed but not set against any account of what the fund does.×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 disputed14 unverified14 true
From 223 reports we hold under this byline, at The Hill. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
P Perry Stein The Washington Post
What the bias passes found in their reporting
Headline emphasis headline carries diGenova's promise that the probe goes on×1
Headline frame Presents the exit as part of a pattern at the bureau×1
Headline framing The headline places the exit in a pattern of turnover and does not name one×1
Label for person Uses 'loyalist'. Another report uses 'ally'. Each word says something different about the tie.×1
Claims we checked that rest on their reporting
1 disputed1 unverified2 true
From 11 reports we hold under this byline, at The Washington Post. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →
The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

Washington Examiner
Right estimate · not a score
Washington Examiner 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at Washington Examiner → What we have measured Accusation printed unanswered a named candidate is accused of responsibility for murders, with no response carried ×1Accused named Names one accused student, citing the lawsuit; no other report we hold names any of the accused ×1Accused named Names each person charged and gives their nationality. None of the defendants is quoted. ×1Accused named Names one accused student from the civil filing and attributes the claim to the lawsuit ×1 from 3435 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report that prints Patel's reason, that some applicants were "victims who were trafficked". It also quotes both Durbin and Kennedy, and says Durbin led a Democratic letter the day before asking for documents by
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) pressed FBI Director Kash Patel multiple times on why the bureau lifted its hiring ban on people who previously engaged in bestiality. The reason Patel provided was that in some cases, FBI applicants were forced into having sex with animals when they were younger. Recommended Stories Durbin presses Patel on reason for lifting hiring ban on bestiality offenders WATCH LIVE: Kash Patel testifies to Senate on FBI oversight Jim Justice promises to make governor run decision in ‘way less’ than 30 days “What we did was, we did not want to punish victims of bestiality, victims
Whose voice is quoted: Patel's defence is quoted at length, in his own words — ““What we did was, we did not want to punish victims of bestiality, victims who were trafficked,” Patel said”
Hedged versus stated: the spending allegation is hedged as alleged — “One of the investigations centers on the director’s alleged misuse of taxpayer funds for luxury expenses”
Whose voice is quoted: a Republican senator's mockery of the Democratic questioner is carried — “And yet Senator Durbin has uttered the word five times so far.”
Who is named as pressing: a Democratic senator is the questioner in the headline and the opening line — “Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) pressed FBI Director Kash Patel multiple times”
Voice quoted: Patel's defence is quoted word for word and at length — “we did not want to punish victims of bestiality, victims who were trafficked”
Framing of scrutiny: scrutiny is credited to Democrats, though the same report quotes a Republican senator questioning Patel — “This is one example of the strict scrutiny that Patel is facing from Democratic members of Congress.”
Read it at Washington Examiner → https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/senate/4727479/dick-durbin-pres…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent GOP senator presses Patel on FBI policy change: ‘Why would you get into bestiality?’ Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
Leads with a Republican questioner: Kennedy "grilled" Patel over the hiring change.
It’s not a topic often discussed in the halls of Congress, but Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) grilled FBI Director Kash Patel as he said he was just “trying to understand” a recent change in policy regarding bestiality. The line of questioning on Tuesday was sparked by a shift in FBI hiring practices which lifted longtime…
Who is named as acting: the Republican questioner is the actor, with a hostile verb — “Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) grilled FBI Director Kash Patel”
Who is named as pressing: a Republican senator is the questioner, with a stronger verb — “Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) grilled FBI Director Kash Patel”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/6090295-kennedy-grills-patel-fbi-po…
The Hill
Centre estimate · not a score
The Hill 🇺🇸US · digital · independent Patel defends travel, vehicle acquisition ahead of hearing Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Hill → What we have measured Accusation attributed the word lying is placed in a named politician's mouth, not the outlet's ×1Actor named No actor named for who kept reporters out ×1Actor named No actor named for who let reporters back in ×1Actor named Names the state as the one that carried out the execution. ×1 from 4330 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report on Patel's defence, on Monday, of his personal travel and the FBI's purchase of several luxury armored BMWs. It says Democrats were expected to press him.
FBI Director Kash Patel on Monday defended his personal travel and the law enforcement agency’s purchase of several luxury armored BMWs under his leadership amid scrutiny. Patel is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday morning. Democrats on the panel are expected to press the Trump administration official over his use of…
Framing of the scrutiny: the questioning is framed as coming from one party before the hearing began — “Democrats on the panel are expected to press the Trump administration official”
Framing of scrutiny: the questioning is forecast as coming from one party — “Democrats on the panel are expected to press the Trump administration official over his use of”
Read it at The Hill → https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6089806-kash-patel-travel-v…
T The Washington Post
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The Washington Post 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent FBI Director Patel to face sharp questions from senators on personnel moves Open this report in The AI Times → Read it at The Washington Post → What we have measured Accused's denial carried the only report carrying the Marine's side ×1Actor named via accusation the administration is named as acting, through the ranchers' charge; the price rise is stated flat ×1Asserted, not attributed a shift of power to Iran stated flat in the headline ×1Asserted or attributed the headline states as data what the body shows the chair selecting in a speech ×1 from 1237 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → — independent
The only report that leads with Patel's firings, of employees he says "politicized law enforcement", and mentions the FBI's plans for the midterms.
Lawmakers are expected to grill Patel on Tuesday about his controversial tenure, including the departure of numerous agents.
What leads: the opening line is Patel's own account of the firings, attributed — “saying he weeded out employees who politicized law enforcement”
Voice quoted: Patel's account of the firings is carried and the dismissed employees are not heard, in the opening lines we hold — “Kash Patel defended his firings at the bureau, saying he weeded out employees who politicized law enforcement.”
Read it at The Washington Post → https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/09/15/senators-gr…
Checked, didn’t cover
Mother Jones
Left estimate · not a score
Mother Jones 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed 'ultra-gerrymandered' stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Cover-up' is asserted in the report's own voice, not attributed ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it a cover-up in its own voice ×1Assertion vs attribution describes the operation as a 'violent occupation' in its own voice, with no source for the phrase ×1 from 365 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Reuters
Centre estimate · not a score
Reuters 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Actor named The attacker is the subject of an active verb for both the deaths and the damage ×1Actor named No actor named for who cancelled the flights ×1Agreement stated flat, source in a tail attribution moved after the dash ×1Announcement written as settled A social-media post becomes a future indicative: the conversion will happen ×1 from 13380 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → N NPR
Centre estimate · not a score
NPR 🇺🇸US · public broadcaster · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted, not attributed that the system wrongly flagged citizens is stated flat, with no source named for it ×1Asserted versus attributed public disbelief stated as established, with nothing cited that measured it ×1Asserted versus attributed Past threats of force are stated flat, as background ×1Asymmetric labelling one side tagged by its patron, the other not ×1 from 1145 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → P Politico
Centre estimate · not a score
Politico 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Fox News
Right estimate · not a score
Fox News 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accused named Names one former fraternity member through his lawyer's denial. The woman is anonymous by her own choice. ×1Actor in headline The headline names Trump as the one acting. The body names only Anduril. ×1A number, with no people named The only report that gives a figure counts the journalists whose communications were swept up. It names none of them. ×1Asserted, not attributed stated flat: past court defeats are asserted with no case, judge or date named ×1 from 6448 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → Breitbart
Right estimate · not a score
Breitbart 🇺🇸US · digital · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Anyone hurt is counted, not named eight deaths given as a number only ×1Framing of motive The lede calls the denial a punishment and puts 'fake news' in quotation marks; the officials being sued are left unnamed ×1How the person shot is named a status, not a name: the only report that never uses either name calls him an illegal alien ×1How the place is described a party label attached to the city in the same clause as the casualty count ×1 from 3584 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → MSNBC
Left estimate · not a score
MSNBC 🇺🇸US · TV/radio · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Accuser not named The lede does not name the senator making the accusation ×1Actor named for the ban The White House is the subject of both verbs: it blocked journalists, then let CNN back in. ×1A first stated flat a never-before claim carried without a source attached ×1Asserted, not attributed absence of fraud evidence stated as fact ×1 from 1476 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → The New York Times
Centre-left estimate · not a score
The New York Times 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Active and passive voice the ship is 'targeted' with no actor, one sentence before a named actor is given for the Saudi attack ×1Active vs passive voice Pike is named as the killer in the active voice; the botched execution has no actor named ×1Actor label Names the shooter by its backer, not by its own name. ×1Actor named Names the official and what the process did to Pike. ×1 from 3862 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times → National Review
Centre-right estimate · not a score
National Review 🇺🇸US · magazine · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Asserted not attributed Doubt about the allegation is stated flat, in the outlet's own voice ×1Asserted not attributed An argument about deterrence is stated as fact ×1Asserted versus attributed calls it an abuse of power in its own voice ×1Asserted versus attributed 'Abuse of presidential power' is stated flat ×1 from 415 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
Silence is recorded, not inferred — each of these was read when we built this story and carried nothing on this event.
We could not read these
The Wall Street Journal
Centre-right estimate · not a score
The Wall Street Journal 🇺🇸US · newspaper · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Nothing scored yet. We do not carry a rating for any outlet — only what we have measured from published text. Outlet profile in The AI Times → Associated Press
Centre estimate · not a score
Associated Press 🇺🇸US · wire · independent No report held from this outlet on this story. What we have measured Dating and attribution Dates the signing to Aug. 6, 2026 and writes ord ×1Dating and attribution Carries a dateline correction, repeated three ti ×1How hard the claim is stated Marks "birth tourism" as the administration's ow ×1How hard the claim is stated high ×1 from 223 articles we hold · quote attached Outlet profile in The AI Times →
These are must-cite outlets for this desk that we did not manage to read when we built this story. That is a gap in our reach, not a silence on their part, and it is not evidence of anything about this story.

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