President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will be nominating Kash Patel as his FBI Director.
The former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense was earlier floated to be in the running for deputy director of the FBI or a high ranking Department of Justice position because of potential hurdles in the Senate confirmation process, Axios reported. Trump wrote in a statement Saturday that Patel is a “brilliant lawyer, investigator and ‘America First’ fighter.” (RELATED: ‘Set Up For Success’: Here’s Who Will Be Running Point For Trump On National Security)
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Trump wrote.
“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border,” his statement continued.
Trump wrote that Patel will work under Pam Bondi, who he earlier nominated to be his attorney general after former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz pulled his name from the running. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was also considered to be in the running for the FBI and AG position, Axios previously reported.
“Kash has a lot of allies who think placing him in a top role would be well-received by the Trump base, and send a clear message that Trump is serious about major reform to the justice and law-enforcement agencies,” a transition source told Axios.
Kash Patel is a consummate professional who knows how to restore the FBI back to true law and order. I’m deeply impressed by his intellect and passion on national and homeland security matters. I can’t wait to see Kash as our nation’s FBI Director. https://t.co/vJ5dB9I1OA
— Katie Miller (@katierosemiller) December 1, 2024
Meet Kash Patel, probable FBI Director, to succeed Chris Wray.
Kash: “I’d shut down the Hoover FBI Building on day on and reopen it as a Deep State Museum.”
We need this man. pic.twitter.com/23UEFO1GoE
— Juanita Broaddrick (@atensnut) November 15, 2024
Patel rose to prominence in Trump first term and was a vocal critic of the Mueller investigation into “Russian interference” during the 2016 election. Trump’s appointee has also been outspoken against the weaponization of the surveillance state and recently called for a “24/7 declassification office.”
The FBI appointee also proposed taking the FBI headquarters, shutting it down and turning it into a museum.
“I’d shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state,” he said in the interview. “And I’d take the 7,000 employees who work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals.”
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