President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday he would pick Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a 44-year-old loyalist with little significant experience in federal law enforcement, to serve as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and “America First” fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Trump wrote in a post to Truth Social. “He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution.”
Patel, who will have to earn Senate confirmation to become FBI director, has earned a reputation as the ultimate Trump loyalist who has spread baseless “deep state” conspiracy theories and called for a purge of perceived Trump enemies from the FBI.
His nomination is likely to again put pressure on Senate Republicans who rejected Trump’s nomination of Matt Gaetz, a firebrand Trump loyalist who was criminally investigated for sex trafficking, to serve as Attorney General earlier this month.
A former senior law enforcement official who interacted with Patel in the past said he was not qualified for the position.
“It’s ridiculous. He’s arguably the least qualified person ever nominated for a senior position in federal law