Arkansas – President-elect Trump is set to nominate Kash Patel as the new head of the FBI, bringing forward a loyal supporter and a contentious figure who ignited internal conflicts during the initial Trump administration.
Patel is advocating for widespread dismissals, especially within the Justice Department and the FBI. He is also pushing for the revocation of security clearances for those who participated in the investigation of Trump during his 2016 candidacy. He has consistently claimed that a “deep state” has been undermining Trump throughout his initial term.
Kash is an exceptional lawyer and investigator, dedicated to the principles of ‘America First.’ Throughout his career, he has focused on uncovering corruption, upholding justice, and safeguarding the interests of the American people. In a Saturday post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, “He played a crucial role in revealing the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, serving as a champion for truth, accountability, and the Constitution.”
Trump has revealed his intention to dismiss the current FBI Director, Christopher Wray, whom he appointed in 2017. Wray’s 10-year term is set to run until 2027.
The FBI refrained from making a direct comment on Patel’s nomination.
“Daily, the dedicated personnel of the FBI strive to safeguard Americans against an increasing range of threats. The agency stated on Saturday night that “Director Wray’s attention continues to be on the dedicated men and women of the FBI, as well as those we serve and collaborate with.”
In addition to the intentions to remove Wray, Patel’s history may further complicate his confirmation in the Senate.
A former public defender, Patel advanced to the role of national security prosecutor at the Department of Justice during the Obama administration. His political career began as a staff member for Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), where he served as an adviser on the House Intelligence Committee.
Patel was instrumental in attempting to undermine the investigation by the committee Democrats regarding Trump’s connections to Russia. This involved writing a report that examined the responses of the FBI and DOJ in their investigations regarding Russian interference in the elections.
Patel joins a series of appointments who supported Trump throughout his impeachment inquiry.
Patel transitioned from Congress to a role in the White House, where he took on the position of senior director for counterterrorism within the National Security Council, before later joining the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Patel was seen as a staunch supporter of Trump and was on the verge of being appointed as the deputy to then-CIA Director Gina Haspel, until she indicated she would resign if that happened, according to Axios at the time.
In late 2020, he transitioned to the Department of Defense, where NBC reported that he occasionally hindered collaboration with the Biden transition team, attempting to prevent staff from disseminating information.
On January 6, he held the position of chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, who took on the role following Trump’s dismissal of Defense Secretary Mark Esper the previous day.
His brief tenure at the Pentagon attracted attention from the now-defunct Jan. 6 committee, which requested an interview with him after stating, “there is substantial reason to believe that you have additional documents and information relevant to understanding the role played by the Department of Defense and the White House in preparing for and responding to the attack on the U.S. Capitol, as well as documents and information related to your personal involvement in planning for events on Jan. 6 and the peaceful transfer of power.”
Patel refuted any allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behavior in connection with the attack.
Patel has been involved in yet another chapter of the Trump narrative that has led to legal charges against the former president — specifically, the case concerning documents in Florida.
Patel stated that he saw Trump issue verbal instructions to declassify certain documents located at his residence — a point that could support a defense proposed, though not entirely confirmed — by Trump’s legal representatives.
Patel has penned a children’s book titled “The Plot Against The King,” which claims to reveal the narrative behind “one of our nation’s biggest injustices.”
The narrative depicts Patel as a sorcerer, while Trump is unmistakably the monarch, confronting dangers from “Hillary Queenton,” with figures like Nunes and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also making their presence felt.
Patel is presently a member of the board for the organization managing Trump’s social media platform.
This month, Patel reiterated Trump’s assertions regarding a “deep state” and expressed skepticism about the agency he is set to lead, along with its inquiry into Trump’s 2016 campaign.
“The Deep State is not to be trusted.” Patel expressed in a newsletter from his foundation that the government has been used as a tool for personal and political purposes, labeling the investigation into Trump’s connections with Russia as a “fraud.”
Patel has encountered resistance, particularly from individuals who were once part of the FBI.
Andrew McCabe, the former Deputy Director of the FBI, expressed concerns that the agency would face significant risks under Patel’s leadership.
“Kash Patel’s presence in any leadership role within the FBI poses a threat to the agency’s mission, especially if he were to assume the deputy director position,” McCabe stated in an earlier interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. The extent of power is vast.
