President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to appoint Kash Patel as FBI director, who would replace current FBI chief Chris Wray.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called Patel “a brilliant lawyer, investigator and ‘America First’ warrior who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice and protecting the American people.”
For Patel to take the post, current FBI Director Chris Wray would have to leave the position voluntarily or be fired by Trump if he is to be replaced before his term ends in 2027.
Trump nominated Wray to a 10-year term in 2017 after firing James Comey.
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Patel served in intelligence and defense roles during Trump’s first term, including chief of staff to the secretary of defense.
Wray and the FBI leadership became the target of Trump’s continued ire in 2022, when FBI agents executed a court-approved search warrant at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The search revealed an ongoing federal investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents after he left office.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, ultimately charged Trump with dozens of charges, including illegal retention of national defense information and obstruction, as a result of the investigation. All charges were dismissed by a federal judge earlier this year. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.
If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would be the third FBI director to serve under the Trump administration and take over the nation’s top federal law enforcement apparatus amid years of intense criticism from the president-elect and his Capitol allies Hill. While Wray’s departure was largely expected, Trump’s announcement about Wray’s replacement before the end of his 10-year term is sure to resonate with the agency’s rank and file. However, presidents have the power to force them out of office and many former directors have not completed their terms.
Patel would report directly to the attorney general of the United States — Trump’s current pick for the post is former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi. The president-elect announced her nomination after former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination because his confirmation prospects appeared bleak as a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns about his past conduct and a congressional ethics report. Gaetz — a staunch critic of the Justice Department and FBI — has denied wrongdoing.
Trump’s pick for attorney general and FBI director will likely be tasked with potential reforms and major policy overhauls of the agencies that have long been targeted by the president-elect.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
