Rep. Jamie Raskin said Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump wants someone new to head the FBI only because he wants a “personal loyalist.”
Mr. Trump has nominated Kash Patel to lead the FBI, meaning current Director Christopher Wray — who was also chosen by Mr. Trump during his first term — would be out of a job.
“Christopher Wray, of course, is a Republican appointed by a Republican, as he has said,” Mr. Raskin, Maryland Democrat, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “But apparently he has demonstrated too much independence and objectivity in the job for Donald Trump, who wants much more of a personal loyalist in the position, and that’s why he’s gone to Kash Patel.”
When asked by host Kasie Hunt if there have been issues with politicization in the bureau like Mr. Trump has said, Mr. Raskin said “undoubtedly” and pointed to historical examples.
However, Mr. Raskin said he hasn’t “seen what the proof is that the FBI has been weaponized against a political party of the Department of Justice.”
“Some people just seem to think that it should go only in one direction and if it doesn’t then somehow it’s politicized and I think that’s what they mean when they talk about politicization and the deep state,” he said. “I mean, the deep state. Nobody’s ever defined it, apparently. Just means anybody who doesn’t do the will of Donald Trump.”
Mr. Patel is no stranger to a Trump administration, having filled multiple roles such as chief of staff at the Defense Department, deputy director of national intelligence and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council.
“Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post announcing his nomination.
“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border,” he wrote. “Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI.”
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.