What happens next after Trump chooses FBI critic Kash Patel to remake the agency

^{Published on 2024-12-01 19:30:49 - Brian Stokes, N@N}

Patel is likely to face deep skepticism during his confirmation hearings over his stated plans to rid the government of "conspirators" against Trump, and his claims that he would shut down the FBI's headquarters in the nation's capital and send the thousands of employees who work there to "chase down criminals" across the country.

The article from PBS NewsHour discusses the implications of former President Donald Trump's decision to appoint Kash Patel, a known critic of the FBI, to a key role in potentially remaking the agency. Patel, who has a history of questioning the integrity of the FBI and has been involved in controversial political actions, was appointed to oversee the transition at the Department of Justice, including the FBI. This move has raised concerns among current and former intelligence officials about the politicization of the FBI, an agency traditionally seen as independent from political influence. Critics fear that Patel's appointment could lead to a purge of officials not aligned with Trump's views, potentially undermining the FBI's investigations, particularly those involving Trump himself. The article outlines the background of Patel, his previous roles in the Trump administration, and the potential impact on the FBI's operations and morale, highlighting the tension between political oversight and the need for an apolitical law enforcement agency.

Read the Full PBS Article at:
[ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/what-happens-next-after-trump-chooses-fbi-critic-kash-patel-to-remake-the-agency ]