WASHINGTON: US President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has chosen Kash Patel to be the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Patel is one of the most visible and mouthy characters who have gone to Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan and furthered the conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, reports Politico.
He worked as chief of staff to the secretary of Defence during the first Trump administration.
On Truth Social, Trump called Patel a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.”
“He was one of the biggest lynchpins in getting rid of the Russia, Russia Hoax, being a tenants advocate for truth, accountability and the Constitution” said Trump, referring Patel’s role as a staffer drafting House Republican responses in connection with the investigation of Russia’s interference into the 2016 election.
Earlier on, Patel had been an aide to Republican Congressman Devin Nunes, then the number one Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, a status which earned him much visibility in Trump’s inner circle.
If confirmed, Patel would succeed current FBI Director Chris Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017, after dismissing James Comey, thus essentially terminating his ten-year term. Wray’s term is not due to end until 2027, and hence Trump will have to fire Wray in order to appoint Patel, unless Wray resigns first.
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The FBI is responding to the announcement with, “Every day the men and women of the FBI continue to do work to protect Americans from an increasingly diverse set of threats. Director Wray’s focus, therefore, remains on the men and women of the FBI.”
