Kash Patel, the nominee for F.B.I. director, is set to face intense questioning at his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday about his lack of experience, his promise to “persecute his enemies,” and his commitment to preserving the bureau’s independence from President Trump.
If confirmed, Patel, a self-described Trump campaign surrogate, would provide Trump with a direct line into the F.B.I., potentially eliminating the guardrails meant to insulate the bureau from White House interference. Patel’s nomination has been met with concern from Democrats, who have already signaled that they will not support his nomination.
Patel is expected to be grilled about his book, “Government Gangsters,” which includes a list of enemies he has identified, including two current F.B.I. employees. The book’s contents have raised concerns that Patel may carry out a campaign of retribution against investigators who worked on the inquiry into Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia, given his and Trump’s repeated denunciations of the investigation as a “hoax.”
Some F.B.I. agents are already concerned about Patel’s potential impact on the bureau, with at least one agent who played a central role in the Russia investigation recently retiring. Others are bracing for Patel’s possible arrival, given his past threats to fire the top ranks of the bureau and his skepticism towards critical national security agencies.
Patel’s loyalty to Trump has been a major concern, with some wondering whether he will prioritize the president’s interests over the independence of the F.B.I. Patel has repeatedly vowed to change the agency, promising to tear apart the intelligence division or turn headquarters into a museum for the so-called “deep state” that he and Trump have railed against.
The hearing is likely to focus on Patel’s fealty to Trump and the future of the F.B.I., including its independence. His ability to secure enough Republican votes to be confirmed remains uncertain, although his allies believe he will prevail.
