President-elect Trump intends to nominate Kash Patel as the new head of the FBI. Patel, a controversial figure and Trump ally, has previously called for mass firings at the FBI and DOJ and accused a "deep state" of undermining Trump’s first term.
Trump praised Patel as a "brilliant lawyer" who fought against what he called the "Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax." This nomination suggests Trump plans to fire current FBI Director Christopher Wray before his term ends in 2027.
Patel, a former public defender, has been involved in various roles, including in the National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. His tenure at the Defense Department was scrutinized for actions taken during the Biden transition.
He has also claimed to support Trump’s defense in legal matters surrounding document classification. However, concerns about Patel’s leadership persist, with former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe stating, "No part of the FBI’s mission is safe with Kash Patel in any position of leadership."