Donald Trump nominates Kash Patel as FBI Director amid criticism of agency
Washington DC: US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, a former defence department chief of staff and a staunch ally, to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Patel, who has often criticised the agency, would replace Christopher Wray if confirmed.
Trump praised Patel, calling him a defender of justice and an advocate for accountability and the US Constitution. Patel, a former prosecutor and national security aide, has previously proposed limiting the FBI’s powers and criticised what he refers to as “government tyranny” within the bureau.
The announcement also included nominations for other key positions. Trump named Chad Chronister, a Florida sheriff with over 30 years of experience, as the head of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Additionally, Charles Kushner, a real estate developer and father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, was nominated as the ambassador to France.
All three nominations require Senate confirmation.
Patel’s nomination signals Trump's focus on reforming federal agencies. His history with Trump dates back to his role as senior counsel to the House Intelligence Committee during the 2017 investigations into Russian election interference.
The FBI has yet to comment on Patel’s nomination. Current director Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017, has faced criticism from the president-elect over the FBI's handling of investigations related to Trump.
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Challenge ahead is to meet people's expectations: Devendra Fadnavis
Mumbai (PTI): BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, all set to become Maharashtra Chief Minister for the third time, on Wednesday underlined the challenges before the new government and said the real struggle lies in fulfilling the people's expectations.
Speaking after being elected as leader of the state BJP legislature party ahead of Thursday's swearing-in ceremony, he also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for placing faith in him.
"Our responsibility has increased. We need to work harder. The struggle ahead is about meeting the expectations people have from us. We must work in tandem with our allies to achieve this," he said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had the people's mandate in 2019 but "it was taken away", he said, apparently referring to the Shiv Sena led by Uddhav Thackeray severing its ties with the BJP over the chief minister's post and forming government in alliance with the Congress and undivided NCP.
"For the first two and a half years, we faced targeted opposition, but not a single MLA left us. We came to power in 2022, and now, we have achieved a thumping majority in this election," said the 54-year-old politician from Nagpur.
Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis said, "I thank the prime minister for selecting someone like me, who has worked as a party worker, to serve in this role three times. Ek hain to safe hai, aur Modi hain to Mumkin hai (United we are safe, and with Modi, everything is possible)."
The new Mahayuti government of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party would be sworn in at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Thursday following the coalition's landslide victory in the November 20 Maharashtra assembly elections.
