Trump says he wants loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBI
The former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration
What happened
President-elect Donald Trump said late Saturday he plans to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray with Kash Patel, a staunch loyalist who has said he would dismantle the "deep state" and pursue Trump's vowed retribution against perceived enemies in law enforcement, government and journalism. Wray, appointed by Trump 2017, has three years left in his 10-year term.
Who said what
Patel "did an incredible job during my first term," Trump said on social media, and would "bring back Fidelity, Bravery and Integrity to the FBI." The 44-year-old former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration, to mixed reviews. Former Attorney General William Barr blocked Trump from making Patel deputy FBI director, writing in his memoir that choosing such an unqualified person for that role "showed a shocking detachment from reality."
"Even among Trump loyalists," Patel is "widely viewed as a controversial figure and relentless self-promoter," CNN said. Some of Trump's top advisers "warned him" against picking Patel as FBI chief, The Wall Street Journal said. But Trump "ignored those aides" and chose "one of his most loyal foot soldiers" to "remake" America's "premier" law-enforcement agency "more fully into an arm of his agenda."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
What next?
Wray could resign or "be fired once Trump takes office in January," The Associated Press said, but either way, his "days are numbered" as FBI chief. Patel is "likely to face tough questions" at his Senate confirmation hearings "about whether the agency would remain free from political interference," The New York Times said.
-
‘This is something that happens all too often’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House votes to end Trump’s Canada tariffsSpeed Read Six Republicans joined with Democrats to repeal the president’s tariffs
-
Bondi, Democrats clash over Epstein in hearingSpeed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi ignored survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demanded that Democrats apologize to Trump
-
House votes to end Trump’s Canada tariffs
Speed Read Six Republicans joined with Democrats to repeal the president’s tariffs
-
Bondi, Democrats clash over Epstein in hearing
Speed Read Attorney General Pam Bondi ignored survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and demanded that Democrats apologize to Trump
-
El Paso airspace closure tied to FAA-Pentagon standoffSpeed Read The closure in the Texas border city stemmed from disagreements between the Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon officials over drone-related tests
-
Judge blocks Trump suit for Michigan voter rollsSpeed Read A Trump-appointed federal judge rejected the administration’s demand for voters’ personal data
-
US to send 200 troops to Nigeria to train armySpeed Read Trump has accused the West African government of failing to protect Christians from terrorist attacks
-
Grand jury rejects charging 6 Democrats for ‘orders’ videoSpeed Read The jury refused to indict Democratic lawmakers for a video in which they urged military members to resist illegal orders
-
Judge rejects California’s ICE mask ban, OKs ID lawSpeed Read Federal law enforcement agents can wear masks but must display clear identification
-
Lawmakers say Epstein files implicate 6 more menSpeed Read The Trump department apparently blacked out the names of several people who should have been identified
