Acting FBI Director Under Fire Ahead of Kash Patel’s Potential Confirmation [WATCH]

President Donald Trump has initiated sweeping changes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), fulfilling his promise to overhaul the agency and root out corruption.

On his first day back in office, Trump signed a memorandum titled “Restoring Accountability for Career Senior Executives,” emphasizing that federal employees can and will be held accountable for their performance.

The shakeup began with the departure of FBI Director Christopher Wray, who announced his resignation last month.

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Acting FBI Director Paul Abbate also stepped down hours before Trump was sworn in.

Abbate’s departure was widely expected due to his involvement in high-profile controversies during the Biden-Harris administration, including the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence and the handling of misdemeanor cases related to January 6.

Nicole Parker, a former FBI agent and Fox News contributor, supported the changes.

“He had to have known that his days were likely very much numbered,” Parker said of Abbate.

“I imagine that he knew, rather than being removed upon Trump’s arrival, that it might be best in his interest to just move on. And I think that probably was a good idea on his part.”

Additionally, Bruce Swartz, the longtime head of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, was reassigned, along with as many as 20 other senior staffers, according to the Associated Press.

The White House announced Brian Driscoll as the acting FBI director.

Driscoll, a veteran of the FBI, joined the agency in 2007 and has held numerous leadership roles, including special agent in charge of the Newark Field Office and commander of the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT).

His background also includes service as a special agent with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

Robert Kissane, the top counterterrorism agent in New York, has been named acting deputy director.

Kissane’s expertise in counterterrorism will support the FBI’s ongoing efforts to address both domestic and international threats.

Driscoll’s time as acting director will likely be brief, as Kashyap “Kash” Patel is expected to take over once his confirmation process is complete.

Patel’s Senate confirmation hearings are scheduled to begin on January 29.

Trump’s memorandum on accountability aims to bring a private-sector approach to federal employment, ensuring that public servants are held to higher standards.

Nicole Parker highlighted the contrast between the private sector and federal government: “In the private sector, if you’re not doing your job, of course you’re going to get fired. But when you come to the federal government, there was almost this mood of, you know, we’re untouchable.”

She added, “I really believe that those days are over. You are working for the American taxpayers. It is their taxpayer dollars that need to be put to good use. And if you’re not doing your job, you really should be removed.”

Driscoll’s leadership comes at a critical time for the FBI, which has faced criticism for its handling of politically charged cases during the previous administration.

Scott Duffey, a retired FBI agent, praised Driscoll’s qualifications, saying, “It’s good for the FBI to have somebody with such an amazing background with tactical experience and HRT. It’s a tall order, and I wish him well.”

As Patel prepares for his Senate hearings, the FBI faces high expectations to regain public trust and restore its reputation.

Trump’s early moves signal a strong commitment to reforming the agency and ensuring that it operates with integrity and accountability.

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