Photo: Win McNamee / Getty Images News / Getty Images

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) took aim at FBI Director Kash Patel for protecting white supremacists during a fiery exchange at a House Judiciary Committee hearing.

During Wednesday’s (September 18) hearing, Crockett sharply criticized Patel over his qualifications and performance as FBI director.

“I don’t know who feels safe in this country except for the white supremacists, because I specifically as a Black woman definitely don’t feel safe,” Crockett said.

Crockett challenged Republican claims that crime is down and the country is safer. The Democratic lawmaker cited threats against Democratic lawmakers and Patel incorrectly claiming that the FBI had caught the suspect in conservative figure Charlie Kirk’s shooting.

“I don’t know if this FBI, under your leadership, if those people would have been caught,” Crockett said. “Honestly, if it weren’t for parents deciding they were going to turn in their child it seems you all wouldn’t have got there, even though he literally confessed online. So I’m confused about what it is the FBI is doing except for trying to put on a show.”

The Texas congresswoman urged Patel to “do something about the white supremacy problem,” questioning the agency’s commitment to addressing domestic extremism.

“I don’t give a damn what they say about me as long as I’m succeeding in the mission. We’re succeeding in the mission,” Patel said.

Crockett also criticized Patel’s lack of FBI experience, calling him “the least qualified FBI director in the history of the FBI.”

“When I say that, that is real,” she said. “Because you are the only one that never even served with the FBI prior to joining, yet we are supposed to believe that you are the greatest thing since sliced bread.”

When Patel attempted to respond, Crockett cut him off, saying, “I didn’t ask you a question.”

Watch the exchange below.