Senator Durbin Blasts Kash Patel: "Shut Up and Let Professionals Do Their Job" on Babbitt Shooting

In a scathing rebuke, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) didn't mince words when addressing comments made by former Trump administration official Kash Patel regarding the fatal shooting of Ashli Babbitt during the January 6th Capitol riot. Durbin's message was unequivocal and delivered with palpable frustration: for Patel and others interfering, it's time to "shut up and let the professionals do their job."

The forceful statement came in response to Patel's highly controversial social media posts.

Patel, a former chief of staff to the acting Secretary of Defense under Trump, had identified the Capitol Police officer involved in Babbitt's shooting and publicly called for the officer's name to be fully disclosed. This move has been widely condemned by many, including Senator Durbin, as irresponsible and potentially dangerous.

Senator Durbin, speaking with a clear tone of exasperation, underscored the critical importance of allowing law enforcement and the Department of Justice to conduct thorough, impartial investigations without political grandstanding or the premature release of sensitive information.

"Kash Patel's comments are irresponsible and dangerous," Durbin asserted, highlighting the risks such actions pose to the safety of officers and the integrity of ongoing inquiries. He stressed that these are complex investigations, demanding the expertise and discretion of seasoned professionals, not public speculation or politically motivated disclosures.

The shooting of Ashli Babbitt remains a deeply polarizing event stemming from the tumultuous events of January 6th.

While investigations into the incident have concluded with findings that the officer acted within policy, the political rhetoric surrounding it continues to simmer. Durbin's intervention serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between public information and the operational security of law enforcement personnel, especially in highly charged circumstances.

His direct challenge to Patel reflects a broader concern about the politicization of law enforcement investigations and the potential for such actions to incite further division or even violence.

Durbin's call for restraint and respect for due process is a powerful plea for individuals, particularly those with a public platform, to prioritize professional investigative work over personal agendas, ensuring that justice is pursued systematically and safely.