(LibertySociety.com) – Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, is garnering early support from Republican senators, including Sen. John Cornyn of Texas. After meeting with Patel on Monday, Cornyn expressed optimism about Patel’s ability to restore confidence in the bureau and indicated he was “inclined to support” his nomination barring any unforeseen developments.
Patel, a former national security official and close ally of Trump, has been meeting with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to build support for his confirmation. Cornyn, speaking to reporters after their meeting, emphasized the importance of restoring the FBI’s reputation as a nonpartisan investigative agency.
“The FBI’s credibility has been eroded over time, particularly following former Director James Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton,” Cornyn said. He criticized Comey’s decision to announce prosecutorial conclusions regarding Clinton’s use of a private email server, a move he described as inappropriate and damaging to the bureau’s reputation.
Cornyn also pointed to what he called a pattern of partisanship in the FBI and DOJ, citing Comey’s dismissal and subsequent calls for a special counsel investigation into Trump. “No one should have to go through what President Trump endured at the hands of a partisan Department of Justice and FBI,” he said.
During their meeting, Cornyn said Patel expressed a commitment to rebuilding trust in the FBI. “To me, that is the goal,” Cornyn noted. “And Mr. Patel said he shares that goal.”
Patel’s nomination comes amid a broader push by Trump to reshape federal agencies, with other high-profile appointees also making rounds on Capitol Hill to secure support. Patel, known for his work in intelligence and his close alignment with Trump, is seen by supporters as a strong choice to lead the FBI. Critics, however, are likely to question his political ties and previous roles in contentious investigations.
As Trump prepares for his inauguration, Patel’s confirmation process is expected to spark debates about the future direction of the FBI and its role in ensuring nonpartisan law enforcement. For now, Patel’s outreach to key senators like Cornyn suggests he is laying the groundwork for a potentially smooth path to confirmation.
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