Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) mentioned Sunday that he has no reservations about President-elect Trump’s selection of Kash Patel to steer the FBI.
“Do you have any reservations about Kash Patel serving in that role?” CNN’s Kasie Hunt requested the New York Republican on “State of the Union.”
“No,” Lawler mentioned. “Donald Trump campaigned on reforming the FBI and the Department of Justice, so I don’t know why any of this is, frankly, surprising to people.”
The selection of Patel because the FBI head has resulted in blended reactions from lawmakers and ex-officials. Republicans, nonetheless, have praised Patel’s choice.
“It’s a terrible development for the men and women of the FBI and also for the nation that depends on a highly functioning professional independent Federal Bureau of Investigation,” former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe mentioned Saturday.
Patel has a historical past of pushing for mass firings, significantly on the FBI and Justice Division, and the rescinding of safety clearances for individuals who investigated Trump throughout his 2016 presidential bid.
“The lack of confidence that Americans have in the Department of Justice and the FBI is terrible. And so, obviously, we want a system that is reformed, that works for the American people and that prosecutes criminals. And that should be the objective and the goal of every American,” Lawler mentioned Sunday.
“And, obviously, that’s what my hope is as the Department of Justice moves forward under Pam Bondi and the FBI under Kash Patel,” he added.
In a Saturday publish on Fact Social, Trump known as Patel “a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.”
“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” he added.
The Hill has reached out to the Justice Division and FBI for remark.
