December 2, 2024 – President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump has nominated Kashyap 'Kash' Patel (44) for the powerful position of the Chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Patel served during Trump’s first term as President and advised both the director of national intelligence and the Secretary of Defense. If his nomination is approved by the US Senate, then Kasth will be the first person of Indian descent to head the FBI.

FBI is the equivalent of India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The current FBI director is Christopher Wray whose term is not due to end until 2027. If Kash’s nomination is accepted then Wray would either have to be fired by Trump or resign.

“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,” Trump wrote on the social media platform he owns, Truth Social.

Trump said that Patel will take the "Make America Great Again" agenda forward.

Patel's nomination was welcomed by Chuck Grassley, the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Kash Patel is of Gujarati descent and was born in New York. His family had moved to the US from East Africa and also lived in Canada for some time. After graduating in law, Kash became a prosecutor in Florida in 2005 and joined the Trump team in 2015. He started out as a federal prosecutor handling national security issues, a federal public defender and a legal liaison to the US military. 

This announcement has reportedly sent shockwaves through Washington as not only Democrats but also former Trump officials have decried this nomination. One described it as “by far the most dangerous pick” by Trump.

Trump has also appointed Indian-Americans Vivek Ramaswamy as co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency and Dr Jay Bhattacharya as the Health Director. But as they get ready for the Senate confirmation process, Trump's most controversial choices for senior positions in his administration have come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

With Media Inputs