Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Kash Patel, who has been picked as President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, should not be confirmed by the Senate.
Schiff joined NBC News’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, where host Kristen Welker asked him about Patel’s nomination.
“Well, first of all, Kash Patel should not be confirmed,” Schiff said.
The new California senator noted that the recent terror attack in New Orleans “underscores” the importance of having someone with experience lead the FBI.
Patel, a Trump loyalist, will face harsh questioning in the Senate as he hopes to be confirmed to the top position.
There’s concern that Patel would use the agency to go after Trump’s political enemies, though he told Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) he would not, despite previous remarks he’s made.
Schiff argued the country needs an FBI leader that will prioritize defending the country against violence like the New Orleans Bourbon Street attack, someone with “judgment” and “character.”
The new senator, however, has maintained that he will not be deterred by the threats and does not want a preemptive pardon from President Biden.
Schiff argued the country needs an FBI leader who will prioritize defending the country against violence like the New Orleans Bourbon Street attack, someone with “judgment” and “character.”
“No, someone whose top priority is political vendettas, who believes in deep state conspiracy thinking, not someone who is as unqualified as Kash Patel,” Schiff said.
As the Senate continues examining Trump’s Cabinet picks, Schiff said it’s an easy decision to vote against Patel.
“Kash Patel is an easy one. He should not be confirmed,” he said.
