Trump picks loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBI

President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday announced that he wanted Kash Patel, a fierce Trump loyalist, to run the FBI. 

Mr. Patel is a familiar face in Mr. Trump’s orbit, having held multiple roles during his first administration, including Chief of Staff at the Defense Department, Deputy Director of National Intelligence and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. He was also floated by Mr. Trump to lead the CIA toward the end of his term.  

“Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing his nomination Saturday. 

“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border,” he continued. “Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.”

If Mr. Patel is confirmed by the GOP-led Senate, it would cut Mr. Wray’s 10-year term as director short. Though Mr. Trump picked Mr. Wray to lead the agency, he has since soured on his own choice, particularly after the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago home was raided by the FBI in 2022. 

Prior to his time in the previous Trump administration, Mr. Patel served as an aide to now-former Rep. Devin Nunes where he played a key role in pushing back against the FBI’s Russia investigation into Mr. Trump’s campaign.

 “He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” Mr. Trump said. 

Mr. Patel has made previous comments that echo Mr. Trump’s assertions that he would dismantle the so-called Deep State within the government and has said he will go after government officials and members of the media. 

“We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media — yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Mr. Patel said during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast last year. “Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’re going to figure that out — but yeah, we’re putting you all on notice.