President Donald Trump’s pick to run the FBI, Kash Patel, downplayed his past promotion of right-wing conspiracy theories and his pledges to pursue retribution against Trump’s opponents on Thursday at his combative Senate confirmation hearing.

Patel is a controversial nominee, having long raged against the so-called Deep State and prioritized his loyalty to Trump.

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, faces what could be a contentious confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, with questions expected over his experience level, brash rhetoric and concerns he would deploy the bureau to target the president’s foes.