President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Indian-origin Kashyap “Kash” Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Announcing Patel’s nomination, Trump in a statement on November 30th noted, “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.”
Praising the 44-year-old loyalist, Trump stated, “Kash did an incredible job during my first term,” referencing Patel’s previous roles as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council.
Highlighting Patel’s legal experience, Trump added that he had handled over 60 jury trials. “This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the border,” the President-elect emphasized in the statement.
The statement elaborated that Patel will work under his Attorney General nominee, Pam Bondi, in an effort to restore the FBI’s foundational principles of “Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.” Bondi’s nomination by Trump follows a previous attempt to nominate former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for Attorney General, which fell through after Gaetz withdrew amidst allegations of sexual misconduct.
The President-elect’s recent decision means he will need to replace FBI Director Christopher A. Wray, whom he appointed in 2017 following the dismissal of then FBI Director James Comey. To remove Wray, whose term extends until 2027, Trump would either need Wray’s resignation or fire him — both of which are likely to ignite substantial political and legal controversy.
The position of FBI Director, which requires Senate confirmation, is uniquely structured with a 10-year tenure to help insulate the bureau from partisan political influences.
On November 30th, in response to Kash Patel nomination, a spokesperson for the FBI noted, “Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray’s focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for.”
Patel began his career as a public defender, handling complex cases in state and federal courts. His experience includes trying a wide range of cases, from murder and narco-trafficking to intricate financial crimes, often in jury trials. Known for his outspoken views, Patel has been one of the most vocal critics of the FBI and had even pledged to shut down the agency.
“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 at the conservative Shawn Ryan Show this past September. “And I’d take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals. Go be cops. You’re cops. Go be cops.”
Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, congratulating Patel said, “Kash Patel has extensive experience in national security and intelligence. He is an America First patriot who will bring much-needed change and transparency to the FBI.”
The President-elect’s nominee for the National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, added, “Kash Patel has served in senior roles at the Pentagon, National Security Council, ODNI, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and as a federal prosecutor,” underscoring that FBI needs reform and Patel will be able to drive that agenda.
Patel previously served as the Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller. In this role, Patel oversaw the Department of Defense’s executive operations, advised the Secretary on key matters, and led initiatives across the Department, as noted in his biography on the U.S. Department of Defense website.
“Previously, Mr. Patel served as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism (CT) at the National Security Council (NSC). In that capacity, Mr. Patel oversaw the execution of several of President Donald J. Trump’s top priorities, including eliminating ISIS and Al-Qa’ida leadership such as al-Baghdadi and Qasem al-Rimi, and the safe repatriation of numerous American hostages,” noted his Bio. “Mr. Patel also served as Principal Deputy to the Acting Director of National Intelligence, where he oversaw the operations of all 17 intelligence community agencies and provided the President’s Daily Briefing.”
Before his role at the NSC, he was the National Security Advisor and Senior Counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, leading investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, and overseeing intelligence and counterterrorism budgets. Previously, as a terrorism prosecutor for the Justice Department, he successfully prosecuted cases involving Al-Qa’ida, ISIS, and other groups.
Patel, born on February 25, 1980, in Long Island, New York, to Gujarati Indian parents, is a graduate of the University of Richmond, and holds a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law.
