Breaking: Trump Nominates Patel for FBI Director

by Sharon Rondeau

(Nov. 30, 2024) — At approximately 6:50 p.m. EST, President-Elect Donald J. Trump declared his nomination of former Justice Department-Pentagon liaison, House Intelligence Committee investigator and attorney Kash Patel to be his next FBI director.

If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would replace Christopher Wray, who Trump nominated during his first term at former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s suggestion in 2017 after Trump fired then-FBI Director James Comey.

Wray fell into Trump’s disfavor by claiming “Antifa” to be “an ideology” rather than an organized group of individuals, among other differences of opinion.

In response to Trump’s announcement, ABC News reported, “President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans on firing FBI director Christopher Wray and replacing him with longtime ally Kash Patel,” although Trump made no mention of “firing” Wray. Rather, he wrote:

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. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. 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.

Following the 2024 presidential election, Trump’s replacing Wray amid a “massive overhaul” of the agency was not unexpected, although considered by some to constitute a “forced exit.”

“The selection is in keeping with Trump’s view that the government’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies require a radical transformation and his stated desire for retribution against supposed adversaries,” The Los Angeles Times wrote. “It shows how Trump, still fuming over years of federal investigations that shadowed his first administration and later led to his indictment, is moving to place atop the FBI and Justice Department close allies he believes will protect rather than scrutinize him.”

The outlet did not report that all federal indictments have been withdrawn in the wake of Trump’s decisive win on November 5 and standing Justice Department policy not to prosecute a sitting president.