Former Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Kash Patel speaks during a campaign rally for U.S. Republican presidential nominee, former President Donald Trump at Findlay Toyota Center on October 13, 2024 in Prescott Valley, Arizona. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
WASHINGTON — US President-elect Donald Trump aims to make loyalist Kash Patel the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, he said on Saturday, in a move that would mean replacing the agency’s current leader.
The incoming president announced the former advisor and Pentagon official, who is known for his views blasting the so-called government “deep state,” as his choice for the post on his Truth Social network.
Article continues after this advertisementHard-liner Republicans have for years insisted that a supposed “deep state” of allegedly biased government bureaucrats has worked to stifle Trump from behind the scenes.
FEATURED STORIES GLOBALNATION Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations GLOBALNATION Teodoro: Focus on PH goals, not China’s GLOBALNATION Trump taps Charles Kushner, father of his son-in-law, as envoy to FranceREAD: Who will staff Trump’s government? A look at top contenders
The FBI’s current director, Christopher Wray, was appointed to a 10-year term in 2017, meaning he would either need to step down or be fired.
Article continues after this advertisementThe FBI under Wray — who Trump appointed — has investigated the incoming president.
Article continues after this advertisement“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 the post.
Article continues after this advertisementPatel, the son of Indian immigrants and author of a book about the “deep state,” served in several high-level posts during Trump’s first term, including as a national security advisor and as chief of staff to the acting defense secretary.
READ: What diversity does — and doesn’t — look like in Trump’s Cabinet
Article continues after this advertisement“Kash did an incredible job during my First Term,” Trump said, adding that he would work to “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.”
Separately, Trump nominated Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff, as administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
“Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondinustabet gaming, to secure the Border, stop the flow of Fentanyl, and other Illegal Drugs, across the Southern Border, and SAVE LIVES,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Bondi, a staunch Trump ally and former Florida attorney general, is the president-elect’s pick to lead the Department of Justice.
READ NEXT France accuses countries of ‘obstruction’ at plast... Israel hits Hezbollah targets in Lebanon days into fragile truce EDITORS' PICK VP Duterte tells Filipinos on Bonifacio Day: ‘Fight for freedom’ Teodoro: Focus on PH goals, not China’s Lea Salonga performs with Sesame Street cast at NY thanksgiving parade Vilma Santos as a vengeful mom in ‘Uninvited’ new trailer Missing pages of PH history found, nearly sold for P44K House orders release of VP aide Lopez MOST READ PCG spots 3 Chinese research vessels in eastern PH economic zone PMA: 764 female military officers owe careers to Rasul Leyte mayors, bishop appeal for propriety from VP Sara Duterte ICC crowdsourcing evidence vs Duterte Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments