On November 30, President-elect Donald Trump announced that he has nominated Kash Patel, a steadfast ally from his previous administration, to serve as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, setting up what could be a contentious confirmation battle in the Senate.
Patel, who previously served as Chief of Staff to the acting Secretary of Defense during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, has publicly stated his intention to shut down the FBI’s Washington, D.C. headquarters on “day one” and convert it into what he calls a “museum of the deep state.”
The nomination represents Trump’s plan to replace current FBI Director Christopher Wray before the completion of his 10-year term, which extends until 2027. The length of the FBI director’s term was established to protect the bureau from political influence, though presidents retain the authority to dismiss directors before their terms expire.
A former federal prosecutor and public defender, Patel gained national attention during his time as a congressional aide investigating federal agents who were examining Russian interference in the 2016 election. He later served in key positions within the Trump administration, including roles in the National Security Council and Pentagon.
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe characterized the nomination as a “terrible development” for both agency employees and the nation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the FBI’s professional standards and independence.
During his tenure in the Trump administration, Patel was viewed as singularly focused on implementing Trump’s agenda. He has proposed significant changes to the bureau’s structure, including reducing its intelligence-gathering activities and dispersing headquarters personnel across the country.
Patel has indicated plans to declassify government information and revoke security clearances from individuals who previously investigated Trump. He has also expressed interest in modifying laws to facilitate legal action against journalists and pursuing government officials who share information with reporters.
“The biggest problem the FBI has had, has come out of its intel shops. I’d break that component out of it. I’d shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state,” Patel said in an interview in September on the conservative Shawn Ryan Show.
Patel’s potential confirmation faces challenges in the Senate, where both Democrats and some Republicans have expressed concerns about his qualifications and approach to law enforcement. His nomination represents part of Trump’s broader strategy to reshape federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Trump’s intention to have fervent loyalist Patel as the head of the FBI is a remarkable decision that would elevate a self-identified enemy of the so-called “deep state” to the forefront of the country’s leading law enforcement organization—a position that would enable Patel to implement Trump’s threats against his political rivals.