Democrat Rep Dan Goldman on Thursday questioned GOP whistleblowers during a hearing on Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan’s probe into the weaponization of the FBI.

During the hearing, Goldman asked FBI special agent Garret O’Boyle and former FBI special agent Steve Friend if they were paid by ex-Donald Trump official Kash Patel.

Also Read: Who was Ted Silary? Legendary Philadelphia high school sports reporter dies at 72

“We established earlier credibility matters, certainly for witnesses who appear before us. Mr. Boyle, do you know who Kash Patel is?” Goldman asked Boyle. The FBI agent answered in the affirmative.

“Have you received any money from Kash Patel or his organization?” Goldman further pressed.

“I have,” replied Boyle.

Also Read: Who was Ted Silary? Legendary Philadelphia high school sports reporter dies at 72

However, Boyle admitted that Kash Patel was not present in the meeting with the majority members and or majority staff of this committee

“To your knowledge, has Kash Patel ever spoken to the committee members on your behalf?” Goldman asked.

“Not that I know of,” Boyle replied.

Social media users slammed the FBI agents and Kash Patel.

“They aren’t whistleblowers. They are disgruntled employees who had their FBI security clearances pulled and have been put on the Republican payroll via Kash Patel,” a Twitter user said.

“Kash Patel is a political hack for Donald Trump, under investigation by the DOJ for leaking classified information,” Goldman tweeted.

Also Read: Lake Nona Town Center: How Disney vs Ron DeSantis has cost Florida more than 2,000 jobs

Who is Kash Patel?

Kashyap Pramod “Kash” Patel is an attorney and former government official. He was the chief of staff to the acting United States secretary of defense under President Donald Trump. He is 43 years old.

Patel, previously a public defender and prosecutor, has also worked at the National Security Council.

Kash Patel was born in Garden City, New York. His parents are Gujarati and immigrated to the US from East Africa in 1980. The 43-year-old graduated from Garden City High School and then went on to study at the University of Richmond. He has a certificate in international law from the University College, London, and a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law.

Patel was hired as a senior committee aide to House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes in 2017. He was key in Republicans’ stance on the investigation into Trump’s role in Russian interference in the 2016 election.