Trump selects Patel as new FBI chief
The role will necessitate confirmation by the Senate.
TroibNews 
On Saturday night, President Donald Trump revealed that he has chosen Kash Patel, a dedicated ally of Trump, as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Patel, who was involved in Trump's transition team, has been a prominent supporter, attending Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan and advancing conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election. He served as chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense during Trump's first term and has vocally advocated for the removal of Trump's opponents from the Justice Department, FBI, and other intelligence agencies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Patel as a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.” He further stated, “He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” highlighting Patel's contributions as a staffer in developing House Republicans' responses to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
During that time, Patel worked as an aide to Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, the leading Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, which elevated his status within Trump's inner circle.
If Patel is confirmed, he will succeed current FBI Director Chris Wray, who was nominated by Trump in 2017 after the dismissal of James Comey, cutting Comey's tenure short. Wray's term is set to run until 2027, which means Trump would need to remove him to appoint Patel, unless Wray resigns beforehand.
In response to the announcement, the FBI issued a statement emphasizing, "Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray's focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for."
Patel had previously been seeking the position of deputy director of the CIA, a role that would not require Senate confirmation, unlike the FBI director position. His confirmation in the Senate remains uncertain, especially given his polarizing reputation even among Trump supporters.
During Trump's first term, when there was speculation about naming Patel as deputy director of the FBI, then-Attorney General Bill Barr reportedly responded, “over my dead body.” CIA Director Gina Haspel also indicated she would resign over such an appointment.
Patel was involved in crucial events tied to special counsel Jack Smith’s criminal charges against Trump. The Justice Department granted him limited immunity to testify regarding Trump's accumulation of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago after leaving office. He also provided testimony before both the Jan. 6 committee and federal prosecutors concerning Trump’s discussions about deploying the National Guard in anticipation of the January 6, 2021, violence.
Additionally, Patel served as a witness in Trump's defense during a Colorado trial that sought to determine whether Trump had incited an insurrection on January 6. Although this was part of an effort by some of Trump's adversaries to disqualify him from the ballot under the Constitution’s Insurrection Clause, the Supreme Court ultimately overturned that decision.
Patel is a former federal public defender and prosecutor in the Justice Department's national security division. A fervent Trump supporter, he has been helping compile a list of candidates for roles within the Justice Department.
He has also vowed to launch investigations and potentially prosecute journalists, stating, “We’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out,” last year.
In addition, Trump appointed Chad Chronister, sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, as the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency. With a 32-year tenure at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Chronister continues the trend of Floridians in Trump’s administration. Trump noted in a Truth Social post that Chronister would collaborate with Pam Bondi, his choice for attorney general, to “secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES.”
Betsy Woodruff Swan contributed to this report.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
Patel, who was involved in Trump's transition team, has been a prominent supporter, attending Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan and advancing conspiracy theories related to the 2020 election. He served as chief of staff to the Secretary of Defense during Trump's first term and has vocally advocated for the removal of Trump's opponents from the Justice Department, FBI, and other intelligence agencies.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Patel as a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.” He further stated, “He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” highlighting Patel's contributions as a staffer in developing House Republicans' responses to the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
During that time, Patel worked as an aide to Republican Rep. Devin Nunes, the leading Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, which elevated his status within Trump's inner circle.
If Patel is confirmed, he will succeed current FBI Director Chris Wray, who was nominated by Trump in 2017 after the dismissal of James Comey, cutting Comey's tenure short. Wray's term is set to run until 2027, which means Trump would need to remove him to appoint Patel, unless Wray resigns beforehand.
In response to the announcement, the FBI issued a statement emphasizing, "Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray's focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for."
Patel had previously been seeking the position of deputy director of the CIA, a role that would not require Senate confirmation, unlike the FBI director position. His confirmation in the Senate remains uncertain, especially given his polarizing reputation even among Trump supporters.
During Trump's first term, when there was speculation about naming Patel as deputy director of the FBI, then-Attorney General Bill Barr reportedly responded, “over my dead body.” CIA Director Gina Haspel also indicated she would resign over such an appointment.
Patel was involved in crucial events tied to special counsel Jack Smith’s criminal charges against Trump. The Justice Department granted him limited immunity to testify regarding Trump's accumulation of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago after leaving office. He also provided testimony before both the Jan. 6 committee and federal prosecutors concerning Trump’s discussions about deploying the National Guard in anticipation of the January 6, 2021, violence.
Additionally, Patel served as a witness in Trump's defense during a Colorado trial that sought to determine whether Trump had incited an insurrection on January 6. Although this was part of an effort by some of Trump's adversaries to disqualify him from the ballot under the Constitution’s Insurrection Clause, the Supreme Court ultimately overturned that decision.
Patel is a former federal public defender and prosecutor in the Justice Department's national security division. A fervent Trump supporter, he has been helping compile a list of candidates for roles within the Justice Department.
He has also vowed to launch investigations and potentially prosecute journalists, stating, “We’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out,” last year.
In addition, Trump appointed Chad Chronister, sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, as the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency. With a 32-year tenure at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Chronister continues the trend of Floridians in Trump’s administration. Trump noted in a Truth Social post that Chronister would collaborate with Pam Bondi, his choice for attorney general, to “secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES.”
Betsy Woodruff Swan contributed to this report.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
