Trump shakes up FBI leadership, appoints Patel as new director
President-elect Donald Trump announced that he will appoint his associate, known for his radical views, Kashyap "Kash" Patel, as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This suggests that the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, who is serving a 10-year term, will be leaving his position.
"I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next 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 on his TRUTH Social platform.
He announced that under Kash's leadership, "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."
A trusted person
The 44-year-old Patel gained Trump's trust during his first term when he criticized the investigation into the contacts of Trump affiliates with Russians.
Soon after, he was appointed as the chief of staff to Defence Secretary Christopher Miller and also served as the Deputy Director of National Intelligence. During Trump's first impeachment trial, he was also named as a secret intermediary between Trump and the Ukrainian authorities, on whom the then-president wanted to compel to initiate an investigation against Joe Biden. He was also involved in Trump's attempts to overturn the election results.
Radical views
Patel is known for his radical statements and views. He is also one of the most fervent advocates for revenge against Trump's opponents. In an interview with Stephen Bannon, he announced that upon returning to power, they would "find the conspirators" in the state and the media.
In his book "Government Gangsters," Patel listed representatives of the "deep state." He also wrote a series of children's books portraying Trump as a noble king.
Although Trump did not state it explicitly, his announcement suggests that he intends to dismiss the current FBI director Christopher Wray, appointed by Trump himself in 2017 for a 10-year term. Although such dismissals are rare, and the 10-year term was meant to depoliticize the office, Trump has made such a move before by dismissing former FBI director James Comey in relation to the ongoing investigation into the Russian affair.
The FBI remains a key body in the investigation of federal crimes.
