CNN’s Van Jones Spars With GOP Strategist Over Kash Patel Leading the FBI: ‘Excuses For Stuff That’s Inexcusable’
CNN political commentator Van Jones sparred with GOP strategist Shermichael Singleton over the possibility of Kash Patel leading the FBI under Donald Trump.
During a Friday discussion on CNN, the panel debated the possibility that the president-elect would appoint Patel as director of the FBI following the recent nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL).
CNN’s Manu Raju reported on Friday that Patel, a former Pentagon appointee and Trump loyalist, is under consideration to take over the FBI as director. During media interviews throughout the campaign, Patel has vowed to retaliate against Trump’s critics.
Singleton told the panel that he supports Trump bringing in “someone to challenge and get” the FBI in order “even if it is Kash Patel.” Jones responded by noting he was appalled by Singleton’s remarks and accused Patel of being an “enemy of Dr. King” and “unqualified” for the position.
JONES: I am appalled to hear my brother saying this, yes, the FBI has done some bad things. There’s not a single bad thing the FBI has done that Kash Patel would represent a great advance over. And let’s not forget, I mean, you know, we’re in bad shape when Van Jones, a liberal Democrat is defending the FBI… If you put a completely unqualified person in charge you can’t say you’re for law and order. You put a completely unqualified person in charge. You can’t say you’re for peaceful and safe streets when the people who are in charge of that are going to be incompetent. Kash Patel is incompetent. You would not hire Kash Patel to do anything in your company and that at certain point, yes, we want change, but change has to be done in a good way by responsible people, not in a bad way by incompetent people.
SINGLETON: But you know what? Van is right? We do care about law and order, and it should be led by responsible people. But the quote unquote, responsible people haven’t necessarily addressed some of the issues that I raised. I mean, investigating and illegally targeted and spying on activists that were part of BLM was just recent years ago…
JONES: But Kash Patel would be more likely to investigate Black Lives Matter than anybody else. Kash Patel would be more likely to be an enemy of Dr. King than anybody else. Kash Patel is not some great civil rights champion. You’re not talking about John Lewis. If you want to dig up John Lewis and put him in there than I’d be for it. But Kash Patel has no record on stuff you’re talking about. You guys are just having to dig up excuses for stuff that’s inexcusable. This dude should not be in charge of the FBI.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
