Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said President-elect Trump's nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, should not be confirmed by the Senate.
Schiff appeared on NBC News' “Meet the Press” on Sunday, and host Kristen Welker asked him about Patel's nomination.
“Well, first of all, Kash Patel should not be confirmed,” Schiff said.
California's new senator said the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans “underscores” the importance of having someone with experience lead the FBI.
Patel, a Trump supporter, hopes to be confirmed to the top job and will face intense questioning in the Senate.
There are concerns that Mr. Patel will use the agency to go after Mr. Trump's political opponents, but despite his previous statements, Mr. He said he would not do anything like that.
But the new senator is undaunted by the threat and insists he does not want a preemptive pardon from President Biden.
Schiff said the country needs FBI leaders who prioritize protecting the country from the kind of violence seen in the Bourbon Street attack in New Orleans, and that the agency has “judgment” and “character.” He argued that it should be led by a person with a strong background.
“No, this is someone who prioritizes political vendettas and believes in deep state conspiracy theories, not someone as unqualified as Kash Patel,” Schiff said.
Schiff said voting against Patel was an easy decision as the Senate continues to consider President Trump's Cabinet appointments.
“Kash Patel is easy. He shouldn't be confirmed,” he said.
