Official announcements and media reports

Steve Bannon Reports Trump Names Kash Patel as FBI Director; Ken Paxton and Elon Musk Endorse

Nov 18, 2024, 04:06 PM

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has publicly endorsed Kash Patel for the position of FBI Director, stating that Patel would make a "fantastic FBI Director" who would "certainly shake things up." Elon Musk expressed agreement with Paxton's endorsement. Steve Bannon reported on his show that President-elect Trump has named Kash Patel as FBI Director, though this has not been officially confirmed. Other supporters of Patel's potential appointment include Rudy Giuliani and Senator Tommy Tuberville. Rudy Giuliani stated that Patel would "rid the FBI of the turncoats" and restore morale. Meanwhile, former FBI agents have voiced concerns over Patel's appointment. Daniel Brunner, a former FBI special agent, warned that Patel could cause "massive damage" to the "interior" of the agency and described the prospect as "extremely, extremely dangerous." Reports also suggest that some FBI agents are threatening to quit if Patel becomes director. Patel has been vocal about his plans for the FBI, vowing to "take apart the Deep State brick by brick" and suggesting he would "shut down the FBI Hoover Building on day one and reopen the next day as a museum of the deep state."