Newly elected President Donald Trump announced this on Saturday he plans to name Kash Patel as FBI Director, replacing current FBI Chief Chris Wray.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called Patel “a brilliant lawyer, investigator and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending justice, and protecting the American people.”
For Patel to take the post, current FBI Director Chris Wray would have to voluntarily step down or be removed by Trump if he is to be replaced before his term ends in 2027. A source previously told CBS News that the Trump team was aware of the complexities involved in ousting Wray.
Trump nominated Wray to a 10-year term in 2017 after firing James Comey.
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Patel served In Trump's first term he served in intelligence and defense roles, ranging from Chief of Staff to Secretary of Defense.
Wray and the leadership of the FBI became the target of Trump's enduring ire in 2022, when FBI agents executed a court-authorized search warrant at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. The discovery revealed an ongoing federal investigation into Trump's handling of classified records after leaving office.
Special counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland, ultimately charged Trump with dozens of counts, including illegal possession of national defense information and obstruction, as a result of the investigation. A federal judge dismissed all charges earlier this year. Trump pleaded innocent and denied wrongdoing.
If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would be the third FBI director to serve under the Trump administration and would take command of the nation's premier federal law enforcement apparatus amid years of intense criticism of the president-elect and his allies on Capitol Hill. While Wray was largely expected to step down from the job, Trump's announcement to replace Wray before his 10-year term ends will certainly resonate throughout the bureau's rank-and-file. However, presidents have the power to remove them from the role and many previous directors have not served their full terms.
Patel will report directly to the Attorney General of the United States – Trump's current choice for the position is former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. The President-elect announced his nomination after former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his nomination as his chances of confirmation appeared slim after a bipartisan group of senators raised concerns about his past conduct and a congressional ethics report. Gaetz – a staunch critic of the Justice Department and the FBI – has denied wrongdoing.
Trump's picks for attorney general and FBI director are likely to be tasked with potential reforms and sweeping policy changes at agencies that have long been targets of the president-elect.
This is a developing story and will be updated.