President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Kash Patel to lead the FBI, sparking widespread criticism from Democrats and national security experts. Patel, a loyalist of Trump’s, has vowed to use his position to exact revenge on those who opposed him during the campaign.
Patel will replace Christopher Wray, who still has three years left on his 10-year term as director. The nomination has been met with skepticism by many, including Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who praised Patel’s ability to clean up what they see as partisan corruption within the FBI.
Supporters of Trump, such as Speaker Mike Johnson and Senator Tommy Tuberville, have issued statements praising Patel’s appointment. However, Democrats are concerned that Patel will be a personal loyalist of Trump’s, using his position to pursue revenge against perceived enemies.
FBI directors are confirmed by the Senate, and Patel’s nomination will likely face tough questions about whether he can remain independent from White House interference. The question of whether Patel will fire or resign Wray, whom Trump appointed in 2017, remains unclear.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed support for outgoing director Wray, highlighting the importance of an FBI director being insulated from politics. Former FBI agent Karl Schmae described Trump’s announcement as a “sad day” for FBI employees and the country.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/us/politics/trump-kash-patel-fbi-republicans.html