Democrats and some former Trump officials criticized President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that he wants Kash Patel to be FBI director.
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Patel, a 44-year-old who served in intelligence and defense roles in Trump’s first term, is a controversial figure even within Trump’s world, and a former U.S. official described him as “by far the most dangerous pick” Trump has made.
“There is no ‘there’ to him”, the official told CBS News. “He’ll literally do anything.”
John Bolton, who served as national security adviser in Trump’s first term and was Patel’s boss, compared the nomination to Joseph Stalin’s secret police chief.
“Fortunately, the FBI is not” Stalin’s secret police, Bolton said. “The Senate should reject this nomination 100-0.”
In addition to objections about Patel at the helm of the FBI, current FBI director Christopher Wray’s 10-year term is not due to end until 2027. For Patel to become FBI director, Wray would have to resign or be fired by Trump and Patel would need to be confirmed by the Senate. Republicans are set to hold a 53-47 majority come January, giving incoming Majority Leader John Thune only a few votes to lose.
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” in a post on social media Saturday.
