Trump Selects Kash Patel as FBI Director, Plans to Fire Current FBI Head

In a move poised to upend Washington’s law enforcement landscape, former U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The announcement, made via Trump’s Truth Social platform, underscores his commitment to restructuring the agency he has long criticized.

“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump declared Saturday night. “Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people.”

Patel’s nomination aligns with Trump’s broader vision of reforming federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which he views as rife with adversaries. The decision reflects Trump’s ongoing grievances over federal investigations during his previous administration, including those that culminated in his indictment. If confirmed, Patel would succeed Christopher Wray, whom Trump appointed in 2017 but later criticized for his handling of high-profile cases, including the investigation into classified documents found at Trump’s Florida estate.

Patel’s confirmation, even under a Republican-controlled Senate, is far from assured. Trump has hinted at the possibility of using recess appointments to bypass Senate approval, a controversial move that could face significant legal and political pushback.

If confirmed, Patel’s tenure would likely bring sweeping changes to the FBI. He has advocated for reducing the bureau’s scope, including proposals to shutter its Washington, D.C., headquarters, which he once suggested should reopen as a “museum of the deep state.” Such ideas sharply contrast with past directors who sought to expand the FBI’s resources to tackle national and international threats.

The son of Indian immigrants, Patel began his career as a public defender before transitioning to roles within the Justice Department as a prosecutor. His profile rose as a staffer for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he played a key role in shaping Republican investigations into alleged misconduct by federal agencies.

Patel has also built a reputation as a staunch Trump ally, authoring a 2023 memoir titled Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy. Additionally, he penned two children’s books that glorify Trump, with characters resembling political figures like Hillary Clinton depicted in a less flattering light.