Is Kash Patel Heading Toward a Tough Confirmation?
Some Republicans have expressed concern about replacing the current FBI Director Chris Wray with Patel, a slavish Trump loyalist.

Democrats and Republicans alike would prefer Chris Wray to continue as FBI director and not be replaced by the controversial Kash Patel.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that he plans to replace Wrayâwhom he appointed in 2017âwith election-denying, far-right loyalist Kash Patel. FBI directors have a 10-year tenure unless they are fired or resign. And most people in Congress seem to think Wray has done a fine job and deserves to fulfill his term until 2027.
South Dakota Republican Mike Rounds called Wray a âvery good manâ and had no issues with how Wray led the FBI. Other Republicans, however, like Senator Chuck Grassley, have been quick to fall in line behind Trump, whose primary beef with Wray was that he didnât investigate Joe Biden for election fraud in 2020.
âChris Wray has failed at fundamental duties of [FBI Director]. Heâs showed disdain for [congressional] oversight & hasnât lived up to his promises Itâs time 2 chart a new course 4 TRANSPARENCY +ACCOUNTABILITY at FBI,â Grassley wrote on X. âKash Patel must prove to Congress he will reform &restore public trust in FBI.â
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin offered his own take, telling NBC that Wray had âdemonstrated too much independence and objectivity in the job for Donald Trump, who wants much more of a personal loyalist in the position. And thatâs why heâs gone to Kash Patel.â
Patel is a staunch Trump advocate with a thirst for political revenge, and heâs made that very clear. To fire Wray and hire Patel would just be another shameless effort on Trumpâs part to surround himself with highly unqualified yet deeply vindictive yes-men. It seems to be working.