F.B.I. Director Kash Patel suggested Tuesday he was open to sending federal agents to polling places, alarming Democrats that the Trump administration would assert greater control over coming elections. Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patel seemed to reverse earlier comments indicating he did not intend to send agents to polls. When Senator Peter Welch, Democrat of Vermont, pressed him, Patel raised his voice: "When did you hear that? Just another lie." Welch asked if he was sending F.B.I. agents to the polls. Patel replied that "election crisis coordinators" are manned at all 56 field offices and that "election integrity is of paramount importance."

Under law, armed federal officers or military personnel are barred from polling places. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said last month there were "no plans" to deploy troops for the midterms. As President Trump ramps up doubt about the vote, Democrats have sought assurances that officials will follow the law, which carries a potential five-year prison sentence for violations.

Patel initially vowed to "follow the law" but sidestepped pledging not to interfere in the will of the people. Welch denounced him as a "panderer" to Trump, and Patel suggested Welch's personal finances were suspicious. Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, tried to lower the temperature, but the argument continued.