Donald Trump writes on his own platform Truth social that he wants close ally Kashyap “Kash” Patel to become the new FBI director.
– Kash did an amazing job during my first term, serving as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Senior Director of Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, writes the future president.
US President-elect Donald Trump wants to see Kash Patel as the new FBI director. Patel has previously worked closely with Trump and has been critical of the FBI.
– Kash did an amazing job during my first term, serving as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Senior Director of Counterterrorism at the National Security Council, writes the incoming president on Truth Social.
Trump also writes that Patel will end “the growing crime epidemic”.
Want to make the FBI “obedient”
Current FBI director Christopher Wray took office in 2017, during Trump’s last term, and has a ten-year term. Thus, Trump must fire him, if he does not resign voluntarily, for Patel to take over the post.
Like Trump’s cabinet picks, the decision could be seen as controversial because Patel is an outspoken critic of the FBI and other crime prevention agencies, which he calls “the deep state.” Among other things, he has said that he wants to close down the FBI headquarters and replace the entire management to make it “obedient”.
Axios describes the appointment of Patel as “a massive middle finger to the intelligence services” from Trump and the New York Times writes that the decision will “send shock waves” through the FBI. They also write that it is very reminiscent of the appointment of Matt Gaertz as Attorney General. The Republican is accused by the FBI of trafficking and sex crimes against minors.
The counselor pushes on
Before Patel can take the helm, however, he must be approved by the Senate, which could be difficult despite a Republican majority.
Patel is a former prosecutor and now sits on the group preparing for Trump’s inauguration in January. He has previously said that he wants to go after everyone who he claims helped Joe Biden “rig the election” in 2020. He also wants to hunt officials who leak to the media and make it easier to sue journalists.
Trump adviser Steve Brennon has pushed for the selection of Patel. A year ago, Brennon said Patel and others would prosecute anyone who conspired against Trump.
We will go after anyone in the media who lied about Americans who helped Joe Biden rig the election, said Patel, who, like Trump and the circle around him, claims without evidence that Biden rigged the 2020 election victory.