Donald Trump names Indian-origin Kash Patel as next FBI chief

US President-elect Donald Trump nominates Indian-origin Kash Patel as next FBI chief.
Donald Trump nominates Indian-origin Kash Patel as next FBI chief. Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

US President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday announced the appointment of Indian-origin Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In his Truth Social post, Trump said: “I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

“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 said.

The announcement clearly shows the intention of Trump to remove the bureau’s current director Christopher Wray.

Wray’s 10-year term does not end until 2027.

Trump had appointed him in 2017.

Wray fell out of favour with the president-elect when the FBI assisted with a federal probe into Trump’s handling of classified records, a case that has since been dropped, reported BBC.

Mentioning Patel’s contribution during his first term, Trump said on Truth Social: “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.”

“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI,” Trump said.

Kash, who is the son of Indian immigrants, has been a supporter of Trump.