Trump picks loyalist Kash Patel as director of the FBI

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choice to appoint loyalist Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), a move that would replace the current director, Christopher Wray.

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump praised Patel as a “brilliant lawyer, investigator and ‘America First’ fighter” who has spent his career battling corruption and defending justice.

Patel, a former advisor and Pentagon official known for his outspoken criticism of the FBI, has long aligned with the controversial “deep state” narrative, accusing government bureaucrats of undermining Trump’s administration. As a staunch defender of Trump, Patel has been vocal about his belief in a shadowy network working against the president.

“Kash did an incredible job during my First Term,” Trump wrote, adding that Patel’s focus would be on tackling crime, dismantling migrant criminal gangs, and combating human and drug trafficking across the U.S. border.

The decision to replace Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 to a 10-year term, comes amid ongoing tension between the former president and the FBI. Wray’s tenure included several high-profile investigations of Trump, including the 2022 search of Mar-a-Lago for classified documents. Trump has repeatedly criticized the FBI for its probes, including its investigation into the January 6th Capitol riots.

In a statement, the FBI reaffirmed its commitment to the agency’s mission, with a spokesperson stating that 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’s nomination marks the latest in a series of appointments that signal Trump’s intention to surround himself with loyalists who share his political agenda. In a related move, Trump also nominated Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff, to head the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Chad will work with our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, 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.

These appointments reflect Trump’s strategy to align his administration with allies who are committed to implementing his vision, particularly in combating crime and border security.