Trump selects Kash Patel as FBI director, loyalist to the president

President-elect Donald Trump has announced Kash Patel as his pick for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), despite Patel’s lack of experience in federal law enforcement. Patel has been dismissed as unqualified by former senior law enforcement officials who have interacted with him, citing his lack of significant achievements in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Patel has been a vocal advocate for baseless conspiracy theories such as the alleged stolen election in 2020 and the existence of a “deep state” working against former President Trump. His appointment has raised concerns among former FBI officials, Democratic lawmakers, and Western officials who worry that Patel’s loyalty to Trump could politicize and reshape the FBI. Additionally, Patel’s nomination flouts the norm of FBI directors serving ten-year terms to maintain the agency’s perceived neutrality. Despite his lack of experience, Patel has gained favor with Trump for drafting a memo regarding FBI surveillance during the Russia investigation. Patel has also echoed Trump’s rhetoric about the “deep state,” calling for the removal of allegedly disloyal federal civil servants and threatening to go after government officials and media figures who he believes have conspired against Trump. He has joined Trump on the campaign trail and promoted himself as a “wizard” defending “King Donald,” while also selling anti-vaccine diet supplements on Truth Social. Patel’s past experiences in the Justice Department have been questioned, and he has faced criticism from a federal judge for interfering in a case unnecessarily.

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