Kash Patel says ‘hello’: Meet President-elect Trump’s pick for FBI director
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Kash Patel joined social media a day after President-elect Donald Trump named him as his choice to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He shared his first post Sunday afternoon, greeting his new followers with just one word.
In his biography section on the platform, he highlighted some of his latest positions. He noted his role in leading the “Russia Gate probe” and his experience as a public defender. Furthermore, he mentioned the founding of the Kash Foundation, a nonprofit organization aimed at supporting educational and legal initiatives for government transparency. The foundation seeks to foster a healthier relationship between the U.S. federal government and American citizens.
Patel concluded his post with the hashtag “#GG,” likely referencing his book “Government Gangsters,” published earlier in the year.
The 44-year-old Republican has held significant roles under both Trump and President Barack Obama. In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Patel as a “brilliant” lawyer and investigator dedicated to challenging corruption, upholding justice, and protecting the rights of American citizens.
“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” Trump wrote. “Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. 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. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.”
With Patel’s announcement, current FBI director Christopher Wray will need to either resign or be dismissed once Trump takes office on January 20. Wray was appointed by Trump and began a 10-year term in 2017, intended to shield the agency from political shifts, following Trump’s dismissal of his predecessor, James Comey.
Patel has conveyed through various interviews and public comments his intention to radically overhaul the FBI’s operations. He has advocated for substantially downsizing the agency’s scope of authority and targeting government officials who leaked information to the press.
In an interview earlier this year on the “Shawn Ryan Show,” Patel expressed his intention to separate the FBI’s intelligence-gathering functions from its other responsibilities. He stated he would “shut down” the bureau’s headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., with plans to reopen it the next day as a museum showcasing the “deep state.”
“And I’d take the seven thousand employees that work in that building and send them across America to go chase down criminals,” he added.
