Kash Patel likes conspiracy theories. Luckily for everyone else, conspiracists are normally kept far away from America’s federal law-enforcement and intelligence machinery, with all its powers of surveillance, investigation and arrest. Typically, though, Donald Trump has tested this premise in his choice of Mr Patel to lead the FBI. The 44-year-old lawyer—whose Senate confirmation hearing is on January 30th—has called that organisation “one of the most cunning and powerful forces of the Deep State”. If Mr Trump keeps his promise to retaliate against his enemies, the task will fall to his nominee.