Several Republican senators expressed support on Sunday for President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel to lead the FBI, signaling early backing for a controversial pick. Patel, 44, has called for a purge of FBI officials who oppose Trump’s agenda and has advocated for retribution against Trump’s perceived enemies.
Patel’s nomination, announced Saturday, faces potential hurdles in the Senate confirmation process. During Trump’s first term, Patel served as an adviser to the director of national intelligence and the defense secretary. However, he drew criticism from seasoned national security officials who viewed him as volatile and overly loyal to Trump.
Democrats raised alarms over the risk of politicizing the FBI under Patel’s leadership. They fear the bureau could become a tool for targeting Trump’s adversaries. In contrast, senior Republican senators praised Patel’s nomination, emphasizing the need for reform at the FBI.
Senator Bill Hagerty, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, said he had encouraged Trump to select Patel. “There are serious problems at the FBI. The American public knows it and expects sweeping change. Kash Patel is the person to deliver it,” Hagerty stated.
Senator Ted Cruz echoed this sentiment on CBS’s Face the Nation, calling Patel “a strong nominee” and a “reformer” who could clean out partisan elements in the agency.
The nomination follows Trump’s dissatisfaction with current FBI Director Christopher Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017. Wray has faced criticism from Trump, particularly after the FBI’s 2022 raid on Mar-a-Lago to retrieve classified documents.
Senator Mike Rounds said Patel must prove he can restore public trust in the FBI, while Senator Chuck Grassley noted Patel’s task would be to lead necessary reforms.
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