Reagan’s FBI Director Warns Republican Senators Confirming Kash Patel Would Set a ‘Dangerous Precedent’
President Ronald Reagan’s former FBI Director William Webster warned Republican Senators in a letter this week that confirming Kash Patel to lead the agency would set a “dangerous precedent.”
Following his November election victory, President-elect Donald Trump began picking nominees to fill key cabinet and administrative positions. Recently, Trump named Patel, a longtime MAGA loyalist who has vowed to go after Trump’s critics, to lead the FBI. It’s rare for an incoming president to name an FBI director as the position’s term intentionally doesn’t coincide with presidential elections inorder for it to remain apolitical. However, the current FBI director resigned under pressure from Trump.
According to Politico, Webster, who has led the FBI and CIA, sent a letter to senators on Thursday warning them Patel along with former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) are not qualified to serve in the White House Cabinet. Trump has nominated Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence.
Webster, who is 100, did offer praise to Patel for his patriotism but noted that his loyalty to Trump disqualified him from leading the FBI. Moreover, the former CIA director slammed Gabbard for her “profound lack” of experience to lead national intelligence.
“His record of executing the president’s directives suggest a loyalty to individuals rather than the rule of law — a dangerous precedent for an agency tasked with impartial enforcement of justice,” he wrote.
Former President Jimmy Carter appointed Webster to FBI director back in 1978 where he remained in the job under Reagan until 1987. Following his tenure at the FBI, Reagan hired Webster to lead the CIA until 1991.
“Effective management of our intelligence community requires unparalleled expertise to navigate the complexities of global threats and to maintain the trust of allied nations,” Webster added. “Without that trust, our ability to safeguard sensitive secrets and collaborate internationally is severely diminished.”
“I urge you to weigh the critical importance of nonpartisan leadership and experience,” Webster concluded. “The safety of the American people — and your own families — depends on it.”
