The appointment of the FBI Director is arguably second in importance only to that of Attorney General. In light of concerns about FBI and DOJ politicization under Democrat leadership, it’s crucial to ensure the role is filled by someone committed to protecting civil liberties. For Donald Trump, this decision carries immense weight and significance.
Trump’s nomination of former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is, without a doubt, a superb selection. She’s well suited to enacting much needed reforms at the DOJ.
I have to confess to a degree of skepticism when Trump announced Kash Patel as his FBI Director nominee. As many of my colleagues have expressed, we were hoping for an appointee similar to Trump’s CBP Commissioner, Rodney Scott — someone who’s carried a badge and worked the job. Not just another lawyer with DOJ credentials.
However, in his book Government Gangsters, Patel has some very smart things to say. “Change is possible at the FBI and desperately needed. The fact is that we need a federal agency that investigates federal crimes, and that agency will always be at risk of having its powers abused.” He also recognizes the importance of FISA. “But as a terrorism prosecutor, I also have seen numerous times how the FISA Court can be used as one of the best manhunting tools on planet Earth.” He rightly recognizes a great need for reform throughout, and identifies the very serious problems that arise out of Section 702.
Having initiated, written, and renewed FISA warrants during my Counterintelligence career, I wholeheartedly agree with simply dispensing with Section 702. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act should simply be that — focused on foreign intelligence officers and their assets.
But, Patel has made other statements that raise concerns about a broadsword approach to matters requiring a scalpel.
During a recent interview on the Shawn Ryan Show, Patel said, “I’d shut down the Hoover building on Day one, and reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state.” He cites the 7,000 employees that currently work there, and says he’d send them out all across the country to investigate crimes.
By John Nantz
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