President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel, the former chief of staff at the Department of Defense, as FBI director, RedState has learned.

The move will undoubtedly earn high praise from conservatives on social media who have been advocating the move since Trump secured the election.

Patel was a key figure in national security roles under Trump’s first term. He earned the president-elect’s admiration as a central figure in efforts to challenge the narrative around the investigations into Trump's campaign and its alleged Russian connections.

Trump announced the nomination Saturday evening on Truth Social.

I am proud to announce that Kashyap “Kash” Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is 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. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.

Patel's aggressive stance against what he describes as the "Deep State" and his willingness to pursue Trump's agenda in intelligence and defense sectors make him a favored ally.

Patel has vociferously defended Trump’s actions on January 6^th and suggested people at the highest levels of government willfully ignored an authorization by the then-Commander in Chief to deploy troops to the Capitol and prevent the protests from getting out of control.

“Secretary of the Army and General (Mark) Milley bypassed a direct, lawful command from President Trump, opting instead to delay the deployment of the National Guard on Jan. 6 for the sake of political optics, and in doing so violated the chain of command,” he told RedState in an interview this past May.

Patel also pointed fingers of blame at former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Muriel Bowser, mayor of the District of Columbia, stating they each had a role in the initial refusal to deploy troops on that day. 

Patel has not been particularly shy when it comes to his views of the corruption pervading the FBI under current leadership. And he has suggested drastic plans on the horizon.

“I'd shut down the FBI Hoover building on day one and reopen the next day as a museum of the deep state,” he said in an interview on The Shaun Ryan Show. “And I'd take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to chase down criminals. Go be cops.”
 
 “We're going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” Patel continued. “We're going to come after you. Whether it's criminally or civilly, we'll figure that out. But, yes, we're putting you all on notice.”

Patel has been receiving high praise on social media as America First advocates grew excited over the prospect of him overseeing the FBI almost immediately after Trump was declared the victor over Kamala Harris.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton took to X and wrote, “My good friend, Kash Patel, would make a fantastic ⁦[FBI] ⁩Director.”

“Kash Patel is the best choice for FBI Director. He will rid the FBI of the turncoats who made it an instrument of Democrat party oppression and restore the morale of the good agents who serve faithfully and effectively,” added former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Trump’s pick for FBI Director will likely ruffle feathers in the intelligence community, a reaction that indicates he’s the right choice but might also lead to resistance during the confirmation process.

Updated [12:18 a.m., 12/1/2024]: Kash Patel has released a statement to the media, in reaction to his nomination:

It is the honor of a lifetime to be nominated by President Trump to serve as Director of the FBI. 

Together, we will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to our justice system and return the FBI to its rightful mission: protecting the American people.