Trump Announces Choice for New FBI Director

President-elect Donald Trump reveals his selection for the next FBI director, sparking discussions on the agency’s future direction under his preferred leadership.

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed his former adviser, Kash Patel, as the next FBI director. Pending Senate confirmation, Patel will succeed Christopher Wray, whom Trump frequently criticized and accused of targeting him and his associates for political motives.

“Kash is an exceptional lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ advocate who has dedicated his career to uncovering corruption, upholding justice, and safeguarding the American people,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.

The president-elect commended Patel for his significant contribution to revealing what he termed the “Russia Hoax,” which refers to allegations of collusion between the Trump campaign and Moscow during the 2016 presidential election. He further remarked that Patel performed exceptionally well while advising Trump on national security matters and serving briefly as chief of staff to Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller during Trump’s first term.

Trump stated that under Patel’s leadership, the FBI would “put an end to the increasing crime wave” and confront “migrant criminal gangs.”

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Trump has consistently claimed that the Democrats and the Biden administration have exploited the FBI and Department of Justice to initiate investigations driven by political motives, labeling them a “witch hunt.” Additionally, he has criticized Wray for incompetence.

In July 2024, Trump wrote on social media criticizing the current FBI chief for lacking awareness about terrorists and criminals entering the country in large numbers. He claimed that the chief was primarily focused on targeting January 6th protesters, conducting a raid at Mar-a-Lago, and protecting radical leftists involved in acts like burning flags and defacing national monuments in Washington D.C.

Patel has proposed removing the FBI’s intelligence gathering responsibilities and suggested that the agency should concentrate more on fighting organized crime. He vowed to eliminate “conspirators” from government positions and expressed a willingness to take legal action against journalists.

Patel stated, according to AP, “We are going to pursue legal action against those in the media who spread falsehoods about American citizens involved in aiding Joe Biden with election rigging.”