FBI has long been accused of politicization ahead of Dem concern over Kash Patel nomination

Critics of Kash Patel, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the FBI, have raised concerns about his potential appointment, calling him a “danger” to the U.S. who will politicize the bureau. However, a review of the agency’s recent history shows that the upper echelon of the FBI has long had a politicization problem – and Patel says he’s just the man to end it.

Patel, a veteran official who has served as a public defender and worked his way up the ranks of the federal government, has been an outspoken critic of the so-called “deep state.” In a book published last year, he called for revamping the FBI and moving its headquarters out of Washington, D.C.

Since 2013, the FBI has seen three directors take the helm, including James Comey, who was fired by Trump in 2017, and Christopher Wray, whom Trump appointed. The agency has been embroiled in several scandals that critics have lambasted as politically motivated and damaging to its integrity.

One such scandal involved FBI agent Peter Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page, who were revealed to have exchanged anti-Trump texts while working on the investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. Strzok was ultimately fired in 2018 for the texts, which conservative lawmakers and critics denounced as evidence of bias within the FBI.

Another controversy arose when acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe was fired in 2018 for allegedly leaking information to the media and lying about it. McCabe had taken over as director after Trump dismissed Comey, but was ultimately replaced by Wray. The Justice Department’s internal watchdog found that McCabe had made an unauthorized disclosure to the press and lacked candor in his responses to investigators.

In yet another scandal, FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith was convicted of altering an email about former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, downplaying Page’s relationship with the CIA. Clinesmith pleaded guilty to making a false statement and was sentenced to probation and community service.

These scandals have raised questions about the integrity and impartiality of the FBI, leading some to call for a shake-up of the agency’s leadership. Patel, with his reputation as a critic of the “deep state” and a proponent of FBI reform, has positioned himself as a potential candidate to lead the bureau and restore its credibility.

While critics may be wary of Patel’s appointment, citing concerns about his political leanings, supporters see him as a necessary change agent who can address the long-standing politicization issues within the FBI. Only time will tell if Patel is able to deliver on his promises to revamp the agency and restore public trust in one of the nation’s most important law enforcement institutions.