Donald Trump’s decision to have Kash Patel lead the FBI was controversial, but it wasn’t his first choice, according to a new report.
Originally, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey was seen as a top candidate for FBI director, a position that might have raised fewer concerns. However, sources say that Bailey’s interview at Mar-a-Lago didn’t go well.
While he looked the part, he lacked the presence needed to impress Trump. The chemistry between the president-elect and his appointees is important, and Patel, a loyal Trump supporter, had the right connection.
Patel has been a strong ally of Trump for years, particularly on issues like government surveillance and the deep state, a term Trump uses to describe the government bureaucracy. Bailey, on the other hand, had been the frontrunner for the job but didn’t make the cut.
Patel’s appointment is unusual because FBI directors typically try to stay independent from the president. However, insiders suggest that appointing Patel was a way for Trump to send a message to his critics on the left, particularly those supporting special counsel Jack Smith, who was prosecuting Trump but later dropped the cases.
Patel has also been a vocal critic of the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s 2016 campaign ties to Russia.
He has played a role in several legal matters involving Trump, including testifying about the classified documents case at Mar-a-Lago and a hearing related to Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results before the January 6 Capitol riot.