Public statements from Republican Senators or credible news sources

Bolton Urges Senate to Reject Trump's FBI Nominee Kash Patel, Comparing Him to Stalin's Secret Police Chief

Dec 1, 2024, 05:12 PM

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be the new director of the FBI, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from John Bolton, Trump's former National Security Advisor. Bolton has urged the Senate to reject Patel's nomination unanimously, comparing him to Lavrenty Beria, the feared secret police chief under Joseph Stalin. This comparison suggests that Bolton views Patel's potential leadership of the FBI as a threat to democratic norms, likening it to the oppressive tactics of the Soviet NKVD. Despite Bolton's opposition, some supporters of Patel argue that his nomination is a sign of his suitability for the role, highlighting the contentious nature of this appointment.