Kashyap “Kash” Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has spent his first confirmation hearing before the United States Senate trying to dodge accusations that he would use the domestic intelligence agency for political gain.Patel’s hearing was one of three contentious hearings unfolding on Thursday, as Trump’s nominees for high-level government positions seek to gain Senate approval.
They included Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vaccine sceptic seeking to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, and Tulsi Gabbard, nominated to serve as director of national intelligence.
But while both Gabbard and Kennedy are relatively recent allies of Trump, Patel was scrutinised for his long-standing allegiance to the Republican leader and real estate tycoon.
Patel, 44, was a public defender and federal prosecutor before joining Trump’s administration during his first term as president in 2019. He served in various roles, including under the secretary of defence and the director of national intelligence. Advertisement
But after Trump’s first term ended, reports emerged that several officials vehemently objected to Patel’s ascent in the ranks. Gina Haspel, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), reportedly threatened to resign if Patel had been named deputy director of the agency.
Patel has nevertheless remained one of Trump’s close advisers an …
