Kash Patel, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), addressed the Senate Judiciary Committee on September 15, 2026, regarding new hiring standards aimed at protecting victims of bestiality. Previously, the FBI barred applicants with certain past conduct, including hiring sex workers or engaging in bestiality. CBS News reported in August that these standards had been relaxed to facilitate hiring.
According to a letter from Senate Democrats, the new standards, enacted as early as February 2025, allow for the hiring of individuals who committed certain offenses, such as stealing from an employer over three years ago or paying for sex fewer than three times more than ten years ago, provided they were not in a position of public trust.
A notable change includes that a history of bestiality or animal cruelty is no longer an automatic disqualification if the conduct occurred before the applicant turned 18. Senator Dick Durbin questioned Patel about this change during the oversight hearing, emphasizing that it pertains to applicants who have engaged in bestiality. Patel responded that such applicants could be considered victims and should not be criminalized for their past.
Patel further clarified that previous regulations disqualified anyone who engaged in bestiality, regardless of their role. Senator John Kennedy expressed concern about the implications of this change, questioning the rationale behind including bestiality in hiring discussions.
In response to inquiries from WIRED, the FBI stated that the agency maintains high suitability standards and that the changes allow for consideration of applicants who have faced past trauma, such as human trafficking-related bestiality. The FBI emphasized that criminal behavior remains disqualifying.
The letter from Senate Democrats also noted significant personnel losses at the FBI during President Donald Trump's administration, citing a departure of over 5,000 nonpartisan career personnel and numerous high-ranking officials.