New York Congressman Dan Goldman (D) has warned that some of President-elect Trump's cabinet members and senior staff members will be used to “weaponize” the government, especially Kash.・Mr. Patel was mentioned.
“Kash Patel is unqualified and dangerous because he is seeking revenge on Donald Trump's behalf,” Goldman told CNN's Brianna Keilar on Monday. “And that's not the person who should be leading a nonpartisan, apolitical FBI for 10 years because he doesn't follow the political process.”
The comments came as Trump has come under intense scrutiny over several of his nominations.
Patel, a staunch Trump ally, is also on board with the former president's plans for retaliation. He has focused much of his commentary on attacking the “deep state,” which he accuses of “weaponizing the government for its own political and personal ends.” He also defended the president-elect not only after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, but also during several investigations he endured while in the White House, including the impeachment inquiry and the Russian election interference investigation.
He faced pushback from the now-disbanded House Select Committee investigating the January 6 riot, which asked him to appear for testimony. Patel held a number of national security roles during the Trump administration and was chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller.
In an interview with CNN, Mr. Goldman hit back at Mr. Trump's controversial candidacy when asked whether Americans should trust federal law enforcement.
“I think what's at issue are the candidates that Donald Trump has endorsed: Matt Gaetz, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Tulsi Gabbard,” the New York Democrat said. , “These are not people who are going to enforce the rule of law. They were chosen to weaponize the federal government against the enemies and adversaries of Donald Trump.”
“That's a risk to the rule of law,” he continued, referring to President Biden's recent pardon of his son Hunter Biden. “And that's why Joe Biden used his authority to protect his son from weaponization.”
These controversial nominees included former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who President Trump had originally nominated for attorney general, but who was not involved in a Justice Department investigation or House of Representatives investigation. Faced with backlash over the Ethics Commission's investigation into sex trafficking and misconduct allegations, it withdrew from consideration. Use of illegal drugs. President Trump then nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a staunch ally, to lead the Justice Department for a second term.
Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who recently joined the Republican Party, is also likely to face an uphill battle for Senate confirmation.
Republicans, who won majorities in both chambers last month and have more hawkish views on foreign policy, especially given her history of comments that have been seen as sympathetic to Russia amid the war with Ukraine. , may be fed up with Ms. Gabbard.
