Trump Eyes Loyalist Kash Patel for FBI Director

Former President Donald Trump is rumored to be considering his longtime ally Kash Patel as the next FBI director. Patel is known for his unwavering loyalty to Trump and his criticism of the so-called "deep state. " The interviews for the position reportedly took place at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, suggesting a planned removal of current FBI director Christopher Wray, who Trump has had issues with in the past. Patel has been influential in Trump’s inner circle for years. He rose to prominence in 2018 when he worked with Devin Nunes to discredit the Russia investigation. Since then, he has served in various high-profile positions within the Trump administration. Some close to Trump, including those linked to former strategist Steve Bannon, have been advocating for Patel. If Patel doesn't get the top job, they suggest he be made deputy FBI director, a powerful role that doesn’t require Senate approval. This is notable because Patel has shown his loyalty, such as when he refused to testify against Trump during the classified documents probe until forced. However, Patel faces opposition from other Trump advisers who favor former House intelligence committee chair Mike Rogers. Rogers is seen as a more conventional choice and has experience with intelligence agencies. But Trump seems more inclined toward Patel. Trump has also been known to disregard Senate confirmation, as seen with his picks for attorney general and defense secretary, who both faced misconduct allegations.