President-elect Donald Trump announced on Saturday his intention to appoint loyalist Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), signaling a potential leadership change at the agency.

Patel, a former advisor and Pentagon official known for his criticisms of the FBI and controversial views on the so-called "deep state", was revealed as Trump’s choice on the Truth Social platform. The move would require replacing the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, who is serving a 10-year term that began in 2017.

This means that he would either need to step down or be fired.

The FBI, under Wray’s leadership, has previously launched investigations involving Trump, including the high-profile Mar-a-Lago search for classified documents in 2022—actions that have drawn sharp criticism from the President-elect.

"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 posted on his Truth Social 

Patel, a staunch Trump ally and vocal proponent of Republican claims about a "deep state" conspiracy against the former President, has held significant roles during Trump’s first term, including serving as a national security advisor and chief of staff to the acting defense secretary. Patel is also the author of a book on the alleged "deep state".

"Kash did an incredible job during my First Term," Trump added, emphasizing that Patel would focus on tackling "the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border."

Shifting leadership and loyal appointments

Wray, originally appointed by Trump during his first term, succeeded James Comey, whom Trump fired amid controversy over an FBI investigation into Trump’s ties to Russia. Under Wray’s leadership, the FBI also launched inquiries into the January 6 Capitol riot and Trump supporters involved in the attack.

In addition to Patel, Trump announced Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff, as his nominee to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—mistakenly referred to by Trump as the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Chronister, according to Trump, would collaborate with Pam Bondi, his nominee for attorney general, to secure the southern border and combat the flow of fentanyl and other illegal drugs.

Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and longtime Trump ally, has been tapped to lead the Department of Justice, under which both the FBI and DEA operate.

The appointments of Patel, Bondi, and Chronister underscore Trump’s intent to fill key positions with loyalists who align with his policy agenda and vision for the administration.

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