Trump Considering Ultra Loyalist Kash Patel For a Top FBI or DOJ Job, Axios Reports
Kash Patel, who’s so loyal to President-elect Donald Trump that he wrote a children’s book about a plot to overthrow “King Donald,” may end up in a top spot at the FBI or DOJ, according to new reporting by Axios.
Axios cited unnamed “top transition sources” to report that Trump is considering Patel, a MAGA acolyte and former public defender, for a “high-profile position at either the FBI or the Justice Department.”
“Kash has a lot of allies who think placing him in a top role would be well-received by the Trump base, and send a clear message that Trump is serious about major reform to the justice and law-enforcement agencies,” Axios quoted the source as saying.
According to Axios, “Patel has openly discussed retaliation against Trump’s political enemies in government and media.” His nomination would be a controversial choice and Patel could have a difficult time making it through Senate confirmation. Patel made headlines in December 2023 when he and Steve Bannon vowed to use the power of government to seek retribution against Trump’s critics.
“We will go out and find the conspirators, not just in government but in the media. Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Patel told Bannon on his podcast.
The report comes days after a senior advisor confirmed that former Michigan Rep. Mike Rodgers (R) was no longer being considered for the FBI’s top spot. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray is expected to be out as soon as Trump takes office.
During the first Trump administration, Patel served as a U.S. National Security Council official, senior advisor to the acting Director of National Intelligence, and chief of staff to the acting United States secretary of defense.
Patel was initially rumored to have been considered to head the CIA, but Trump ultimately chose John Ratcliffe, whose background includes serving as director of national intelligence at the end of Trump’s first term.
Trump’s newly-appointed press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios, “President-Elect Trump has made brilliant decisions on who will serve in his second administration at lightning pace. Remaining decisions will continue to be announced by him when they are made.”
Last week, Trump’s appointee for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, dropped out of the running in the face of growing congressional opposition and looming allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
