Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has strongly opposed President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel for the role of FBI director. In a statement, he likened Patel’s appointment to the methods of notorious Soviet leader Josef Stalin, expressing serious concerns about the implications of this choice.
Bolton shared his thoughts on the nomination during a segment on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where he compared Patel to Lavrentiy Beria, a figure infamous for his role as the head of the Soviet secret police. Bolton stated, “Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be his Lavrenty Beria,” highlighting his fear that Patel could lead the FBI in a similarly oppressive direction. He urged the Senate to reject Patel’s nomination unanimously.
The nomination is causing notable controversy. Trump described Patel as a “brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter,” which has led to a heightened sense of unease among lawmakers in Washington. Patel, who previously served as the senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, is viewed as a loyal supporter of the former president. If confirmed, he is expected to push for significant changes within the FBI.
In a recent interview, Patel hinted at his vision for the department, stating he would “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen the next day as a museum of the deep state.” He has also written a book discussing government overreach, titled “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy.”
Bolton has been vocal in his criticisms of Trump’s nominations in the past, suggesting that the new leadership in the Senate ought to advise the president-elect against certain choices that could jeopardize the party’s standing and cohesion. The nomination of Kash Patel has sparked intense discussions among both conservatives and liberals, signaling a potentially contentious confirmation process ahead.
