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President Donald Trump’s FBI Director nominee Kash Patel is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, concluding a weeks-long effort to win over lawmakers that has seen most Senate Republicans him.
A key adviser in former President Donald Trump’s first administration, Patel has been a strong supporter of Trump and an outspoken critic of what he describes as institutional failures within key U.S. agencies.
Trump nominated Patel for the position in late November as grassroots supporters pushed the #KashOnly campaign on X.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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,” he continued.
Trump also addressed the importance Patel will play in ending migrant crime and drug trafficking along the southern border.
“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,” he concluded.
Under Director Christopher Wray, the FBI was accused of retaliating against whistleblowers, improperly using Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants, and conducting politically motivated security clearance reviews.
In December, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz released a report confirming that the FBI had obtained Patel’s phone records, along with those of two members of Congress and several staffers, as part of an investigation into leaks of classified information. The report found that the bureau failed to inform the court that the records sought belonged to lawmakers and congressional staff.
The findings sparked criticism from Trump allies and lawmakers, some of whom voiced support for Patel. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, remarked that Patel “understands that cooperation with Congress is not optional and whistleblower protection is essential.”
