Donald Trump nominates Indian-American Kash Patel as FBI Director

A Trump loyalist, Patel has championed the cause to dismante what he refers to as the "deep state" within the government.

"Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

President-elect Trump praised Patel over his contributions during the Republican's first term, claiming that he played a crucial role in exposing the "Russia Hoax."

"He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council," Trump wrote.

Patel's nomination also indicates Trump's dissatisfaction with the current FBI leadership under Christopher Wray, whom he had appointed in 2017.

Trump has openly criticized Wray for his handling of the FBI, particularly its investigations involving the former himself.

Under Wray's tenure, the FBI conducted a court-approved search at his house in a Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in connection with classified documents, a move that enraged the former president and his allies.

Who is Kash Patel?

Patel was born in 1980 in New York to Gujarati Indian parents who had immigrated to the United States through Canada.

He received a degree in criminal justice and history from the University of Richmond in 2002.

Two years later, he received a certificate in international law from the University College London and a graduate-entry professional duty from Pace University School of Law in 2005.

He worked as a public defender in Florida for eight years after graduating in 2005.

Patel was hired as a trial attorney in the US Department of Justice National Security Division in 2014.

Three years later, he was appointed senior counsel on counterterrorism at the House Select Committee on Intelligence.

In 2017, Patel significantly became the senior committee aide to House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes.

He has reportedly played a role in Republicans' opposition to the probe into Trump and Russia's interference in the 2016 US polls.

He worked as a senior counsel at the House Reform and Oversight Committee after the Democrats took control over the House of Representatives in 2019.