Houlahan expressed frustration, questioning his lack of opinion given the recent lawsuit filed by American Oversight, alleging violations of the Federal Records Act. Patel, however, maintained that it was not his place to prejudge matters and that the FBI would handle investigations impartially.
As the exchange grew tense, Houlahan attempted to reclaim her time, but Chairman Rick Crawford (R-AR) cut her off, marking the end of the discussion.