PRESIDENT-ELECT Donald Trump has picked Indian American Kash Patel to head the FBI, turning to a fierce ally to upend America’s premier law enforcement agency and rid the Government of perceived “conspirators”. It’s the latest bombshell Trump has thrown at the Washington establishment and a test for how far Senate Republicans will go in confirming his nominees.

 

The selection is in keeping with Trump’s view that the Government’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies require a radical transformation and his stated desire for retribution against supposed adversaries. It shows how Trump, still fuming over years of federal investigations that shadowed his first administration and later led to his indictment, is moving to place atop the FBI and Justice Department close allies he believes will protect rather than scrutinise him. Patel “played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” Trump wrote. The announcement means current FBI director Christopher Wray must either resign or be fired after Trump takes office. Wray had previously been named by Trump and began the 10-year term in 2017.