In a highly charged congressional hearing in September 2025, FBI Director Kash Patel was caught on camera glancing down at a set of handwritten notes that appeared more like a personal pep talk than official documents. As he faced aggressive questioning from lawmakers, especially Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, these notes became an unexpected focal point for public attention and online mockery.
The blue ink handwriting bore phrases such as “Good fight with Swalwell,” “Hold the line,” “Brush off their attacks,” and “Rise above next line of partisan attacks.” This self-coaching inscription sparked widespread amusement and ridicule on social media platforms, with many users comparing it to a high school diary or a private affirmations script.
The hearing itself delved into serious terrain, including the FBI’s management of the Jeffrey Epstein files and the investigation into the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. Patel and Swalwell engaged in several heated exchanges, including Swalwell accusing Patel of evasion and “consciousness of guilt.”
Patel snapped back, calling Swalwell’s career “bulls***,” while the tense verbal sparring underscored the political polarization surrounding Patel’s leadership. Meanwhile, the personal notes revealed a vulnerable if unusual side to someone typically portrayed as a hardened law enforcement figure.
The viral spread of the notes has prompted broader discussion about the pressures faced by public officials in highly politicized roles and how even the strongest figures may resort to self-encouragement amid scrutiny.
