BREAKING NEWSTrump nominates Kash Patel for FBI director after backlash over rumored contender Mike Rogers
Donald Trump announced he intends to nominate Kashyap Kash Patel to serve as the next FBI Director.
Donald Trump announced he intends to nominate Kashyap Kash Patel to serve as the next FBI Director.
The President-elect revealed his pick on Saturday on his social media platform Truth Social, describing Patel as a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and "American First" fighter.
Patel had been competing for the job with former FBI agent and congressman Mike Rogers, before Rogers was dismissed as a candidate last week after he was opposed by several MAGA Republicans in Trumps orbit.
As he announced Patel for the top intelligence job, Trump praised the MAGA loyalist as a fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.
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.
Patel joins a growing list of controversial Trump cabinet picks expected to be opposed by Democrats in Senate confirmation hearings, also including Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth and RFK Jr. for HHS Secretary.
Donald Trump announced he intends to nominate Kashyap Kash Patel to serve as the next FBI Director
Trump described Patel as a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and "American First" fighter
Patel had also been rumored to be in the running to become Trumps next CIA Director.
He had been involved in Trumps transition team, with his prominence in the nominating process leading to controversy this week as he was accused of using his position to lobby for himself.
Politico reported that some in Trumps team were frustrated that Patel was advocating for himself to lead one of the new administrations intelligence agencies.
The issue that a lot of us have is that these people are involved in staffing national security jobs, and at the same time they’re also promoting themselves for the same roles, an anonymous insider told the outlet.
Trumps incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the report by branding it 100% false.
The fake news is clearly trying to sow division between two of President Trump’s most loyal supporters. President Trump is choosing brilliant people to serve on his team, and those decisions will continue to be announced as he makes them, Leavitt said in a statement.
Trump had a notably fraught relationship with the FBI in his first term, and referenced this in his announcement of Patel as he said he would bring Integrity to the FBI.
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, the president-elect wrote.
Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.
Trump had a notably fraught relationship with the FBI in his first term, and referenced this in his announcement of Patel as he said he would bring Integrity to the FBI
Trump said Patel will work under incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi (pictured), who was only nominated after Trumps initial pick Matt Gaetz dropped out amid scrutiny
Trumps announcement that incoming Attorney General Pam Bondi would oversee Patels agency comes as Bondi was only nominated after a chaotic start to Trumps nomination procedure.
