Sen. Adam Schiff of California expressed deep concern on Monday over Kash Patel’s expected confirmation as the next FBI director, calling it a devastating blow to the agency.

“It is just a tragedy for the FBI that it comes to this. I can’t imagine the demoralization at the FBI and the Department of Justice. The damage will be long, long-standing,” he said, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Despite Schiff’s opposition, Republicans are backing Patel’s nomination, arguing that the FBI is in dire need of reform after years of alleged political weaponization under

President Joe Biden’s administration. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, defended Patel, saying, “The Trump administration is cleaning house at the FBI because the FBI is and has been for many years infected with political bias and whistleblower retaliation.”