Donald Trump has selected Kash Patel, a former advisor and close ally, to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
President-elect Trump announced that Kash Patel will be his nominee for FBI Director. If confirmed by the Senate, Patel will succeed Christopher Wray, whom Trump frequently criticized, alleging politically motivated actions against him and his associates.
“Kash is a highly skilled lawyer, investigator, and staunch advocate of ‘America First’ principles. His career has been dedicated to uncovering corruption, upholding justice, and safeguarding the American people,” Trump stated on Truth Social Saturday.
Trump lauded Patel’s “pivotal role” in investigating the alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia during the 2016 election. He also praised Patel’s performance as a national security advisor and briefly as chief of staff to Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller during his first term.
Under Patel’s leadership, the FBI will “curb the escalating crime rate” and target “criminal migrant gangs,” according to Trump.
Trump has repeatedly accused the Democrats and the Biden administration of using the FBI and Department of Justice for politically motivated investigations, referring to it as a “witch hunt.” He also cited Wray’s alleged incompetence.
“He lacks understanding of the influx of terrorists and criminals entering our country at unprecedented levels. His primary focus seems to be targeting J6 Patriots, the Mar-a-Lago raid, and protecting radical left-wing extremists, like those currently in DC vandalizing American flags and defacing our national monuments,” Trump posted about Wray on social media in July 2024.
Patel has advocated for removing the FBI’s intelligence gathering function, suggesting a greater emphasis on combating organized crime. He vowed to eliminate “conspirators” within the government and hinted at prosecuting journalists.
“We will pursue those in the media who spread false information about American citizens who assisted Joe Biden in rigging the presidential election,” Patel reportedly stated to the Associated Press.