Donald Trump’s Pick for FBI Director Spurs Concerns About Crackdown on Media
In a 2023 podcast interview with Steve Bannon, Kash Patel asserted that if he were put in power, he would use law enforcement power to target media outlets that he believes spread false information and helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Patel stated, “We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out.”
Patel’s remarks have sparked concerns among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, who fear he would use his position to target journalists and stifle free speech. Some have called his comments “vile” and “totally disqualifying” for someone who could lead the FBI.
Patel has since sought to walk back his comments, stating in an interview with NBC News, “I would love for you to go back and get the whole quote and I appreciate you letting me talk about it. That full quote kind of speaks for itself. It was three words taken out of two sentences. But I basically said we’re going to use the Constitution and the courts of law to go after people criminally and civilly — if they broke the law.”
Patel has also praised journalists, stating, “I think reporters are invaluable. Like, who else is going to tell the world what’s going on in Washington or wherever, right?”
Despite his attempts to downplay the controversy, concerns about Patel’s nominations persist. Critics argue that his fierce loyalty to Trump and his history of embracing conspiracy theories, such as the “deep state” theory, would influence his actions at the FBI. They point to his deep investment in the MAGA movement as evidence of his motivations and suggest that he is too closely tied to politics to be a neutral head of the FBI.
If confirmed, Patel would be the first FBI director not serving a 10-year term, a practice implemented after the Watergate scandal to ensure the agency remains independent of political influence. His confirmation would likely be met with intense scrutiny, particularly from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, who would grill him about his past comments and concerns about his ability to lead the FBI.
