Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the FBI is in need of reform. (Reuters)
Meanwhile, Cassidy reacted to news that New Orleans police had access to 48 barriers that could have prevented last week's deadly truck attack. The permanent barriers blocking vehicle access to Bourbon Street were being replaced at the time of the attack, but authorities in the city could have deployed archer barriers that are rated to stop a 5,500-pound vehicle going 60 miles-per-hour.
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS FBI INVESTIGATES ACT OF TERRORISM AFTER BOURBON STREET ATTACK
"There has to be leadership at the top. And if the leadership failed, as you describe it, then absolutely there has to be consequences. Period. End of story," Cassidy said.
"Now, I think we're going to have a kind of complete review of everything from top to bottom. And if that's the way it ends up shaking out completely, she should be replaced," he added, referencing New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
Military personnel walk down Bourbon Street on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Patel is one of many incoming Trump cabinet nominees who will need to go through Senate confirmation after Trump is inaugurated later this month.
Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-gop-senators-call-reform-consequences-wake-law-enforcement-natsec-leadership-failure