WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump has selected Kash Patel to head the FBI, closing one of the last remaining presidential appointments two months before taking office.
“Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, upholding justice, and protecting the American people.” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday night..
“He played a pivotal role in debunking Russia, Russia, Russian disinformation, and served as a champion of truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” he continued.
“This FBI will end America's growing crime epidemic, dismantle immigrant criminal organizations, and stop the evil scourge of cross-border human and drug trafficking.” He will work under Bondi to restore loyalty, courage, and integrity to the FBI.
Mr. Patel has extensive experience as a former public defender and then attorney in the National Security Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, having served in multiple intelligence and national security roles in the President-elect's first administration.
He is seen as a top candidate by the MAGA camp, which hopes to bring about change at the station and reverse its Trump-era record of targeting conservatives.
The New York native is known for his deep loyalty to President Trump, despite serving as a staffer on the National Security Council, senior adviser to the acting director of national intelligence, and then chief of staff to the acting president of the United States. This has made it a target for the left. Secretary of Defense.
That loyalty has infuriated Democrats, and countless speakers have appeared on leftist networks to disparage him.
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe warned viewers about Patel on CNN Thursday, telling anchor Kaitlan Collins, “Even if Kash Patel assumes a leadership position at the FBI, the No part of it is safe.”
McCabe, who was audaciously forced out of office by President Trump just 26 hours before leaving office in 2018, said he had “no experience in the organization or knowledge of the work involved or the scope of his authority. I can't imagine that an outsider can perform adequately.” .
McCabe, who clashed with the 45th president over the FBI's Trump-Russia collusion investigation, pursued the debunked Steele dossier, and was fired as acting director for leaking confidential information about the case to journalists, said Thursday that Patel He warned him, telling CNN: Even with Kash Patel in a leadership position at the FBI, no part of the FBI's mission is safe. ”
While these warnings initially raised some concerns about his credibility in media reports, Patel's supporters point to his work in the Justice Department and national security field as evidence that he is the best person for the job. He points out his long career list.
“Despite media reporting concerns about his confirmation, he has a record of accomplishments in the fields of counterterrorism, national defense, intelligence and law,” one person close to the transition team told the Post. “Look at his resume. This person is very qualified for this job.”
Patel won early support from Trump confidant Elon Musk, who will soon become co-director of the new administration's Office of Government Efficiency, but Musk suggested the role to Patel in a post on Mr. He then expressed his support for Mr Patel. A full-time “Declassification Office” to increase transparency in the federal government.
“Good idea,” replied the Tesla, SpaceX, and X owner.
Still, the selection of sometimes controversial figures could shock Washington. There was a lot of uproar last week when President Trump selected former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) to be attorney general, before being removed from consideration after a meeting on Capitol Hill.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), and former acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell were also considered for FBI director.
The newspaper has reached out to Trump and Vance's transition team for comment.
