Trump taps staunch backer and 'deep state' foe Kash Patel for FBI director
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WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday tapped former Republican House staffer and staunch supporter Kashyap “Kash” Patel as his next FBI director, signaling his intention to fire the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, once he takes office in January.
Patel, a former federal prosecutor, has long been seen as one of Trump’s top picks for a prominent national security role after serving in various high-ranking staff positions in U.S. defense and intelligence agencies during Trump's first term."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 said in a Saturday evening post on his Truth Social platform. "He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution."
Trump also praised Patel for doing an "incredible job" during his 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" while at the Justice Department, Trump said. "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."
Patel was not immediately available for comment.
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A lawyer and former Justice Department trial attorney, Patel rose to prominence as a senior committee aide to Republican House Intelligence Committee Chair Devin Nunes of California.
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Since Trump left office in January 2021, Patel has frequently posted on social media and made public appearances to support Trump and his agenda, especially in opposing and destroying what both have called the “deep state,” or longtime members of the national security bureaucracy.
“We’ve got to put in all American patriots top to bottom,” Patel told another Trump surrogate, Steve Bannon in one recent post-election interview. He said he and Trump administration leaders “will go out and find the conspirators not just in government but in the media” deemed disloyal to Trump.
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Such views have led to speculation that Patel could face opposition during the Senate confirmation process that is required for some very top U.S. national security positions, including the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Trump is trying to avoid that by pushing supporters in Congress to allow him to make recess appointments that circumvent confirmation.