Key takeaways:
– President-elect Donald Trump is likely to assign Kash Patel, a loyalist, to a significant job within the FBI or the Justice Department.
– Patel’s nomination has been controversial, which has led Trump to consider assigning him to a role that does not need Senate approval.
– Even a Republican-led Senate is unlikely to confirm Patel, given his history and controversies.
– MSNBC’s Willie Geist and NBC’s Ken Dillanian have conveyed concern over Patel’s prospective appointment and potential misuse of power.
Understanding the Controversy Surrounding Patel
Donald Trump, the incoming president, has been analyzing his options for key positions in his administration. One name has raised numerous eyebrows – Kash Patel. Previously a senior advisor during Trump’s first term, Patel has been a center of controversy. This is mainly due to his repeated suggestions of weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents and the media.
Patel’s Potential New Role
Patel might be standing at the threshold of a high-profile position within the FBI or the Justice Department. With his nomination set to be highly contentious, there is gossip that Trump is eyeing a post for Patel that doesn’t demand Senate confirmation. He could be named the deputy director or assigned an investigative role in the Department of Justice (DOJ). Rumor also has it Trump intends to remove FBI director Christopher Wray, who he appointed in 2017 for a term of 10 years.
The Confirmation Conundrum
Why would Trump deliberately pick a nominee who seemingly has no chance of getting through a Senate confirmation? To understand that, we must look back at the previous nominated attorney general, Matt Gaetz, who had to withdraw his nomination after facing a tough battle. The transition team has accepted that his fate might be the same as Gaetz’s, even with a Republican-dominated Senate.
The Voice of Concern
MSNBC’s Willie Geist and NBC correspondent Ken Dilanian have voiced concern. According to them, Patel’s past is filled with disturbing actions and statements, like lying about being a leading prosecutor in the Benghazi case. Geist and Dilanian worry that his installation to a powerful DOJ post could lead to the abuse of his authority and cause significant harm.
Dilanian emphasized that the deputy director’s role, which Patel could be assigned, is essentially akin to the chief operating officer, a responsible and influential position. He remarked that Patel could create a lot of problems if he were given the authority to scrutinize the investigators.
Patel: Personification of MAGA Rage?
Patel represents MAGA’s fury toward the Justice Department and the FBI. He has repeatedly been in the media spotlight for wrongfully accusing the FBI of corruption and putting the blame on Democrats for the failed Trump prosecutions.
Dilanian, who has been following these investigations closely for two years, can attest that Patel’s accusations lack evidence. Instead, he explains that Attorney General Merrick Garland has removed politics from judicial decisions and appointed a special counsel. Despite Patel’s claims, the deep state did not corrupt the FBI to pursue Trump, according to Dilanian.
What Lies Ahead?
Dilanian predicts that Patel might attempt to take revenge against the FBI if he is assigned a powerful position. This could potentially jeopardize the function of the intelligence community and wreak havoc in the CIA, where Patel has also waged war. As we enter this new phase with Trump in the White House, the full weight of Patel’s potential appointment remains to be seen.