“It’s my time, not yours.”

Patel attempted to speak over Booker when Booker recoiled, telling Patel:

“My God, if you want to talk about dividing this country, I follow you on your social media posts that tear this country apart. For you to try to not take responsibility for what you’ve said—”

Patel repeated “It’s my time” only for Booker to respond:

“Sir, you don’t tell me my time is over. The people of New Jersey tell me my time is over. You can’t lecture me. I’m not afraid of you.”

The clash proved so abrasive that the Senate had to be called to order.

You can watch their exchange in the video below.

Patel was criticized after footage of the exchange went viral.

Republicans defended Patel while Democrats accused him of undermining the credibility of the FBI. Patel, in turn, charged Democrats with grandstanding, sparking other heated exchanges.

For instance, Patel referred to California Senator Adam Schiff as “the biggest fraud to ever sit in the United States Senate,” branding him “a disgrace” and an “utter coward.” Schiff responded that “you can make an internet troll the FBI director, but he will always be an internet troll.”

Amid these exchanges, Patel highlighted what he described as efforts to reduce violent crime, protect children from abuse, and disrupt fentanyl trafficking. He also pointed to the FBI’s swift arrest of a suspect in Kirk’s assassination, though he was pressed on confusion stemming from his social media post claiming “the subject” was in custody.

“The subject” in question was later cleared of involvement. Patel insisted the post was meant to show transparency and insisted it wasn’t a mistake, though he conceded his wording could have been more precise.