Summary

Kash Patel, Trump’s FBI director pick, has no FBI experience but is deeply tied to far-right media, frequently hosting Steve Bannon’s podcast.

Patel promotes conspiracy theories, including claims of Chinese election interference and a “two-tiered justice system” targeting Trump allies. He has called for extreme measures, like arresting Attorney General Merrick Garland, and keeps a literal enemies list in his book Government Gangsters.

Critics compare Patel to J. Edgar Hoover, warning of potential abuses of federal power under his leadership. His proposals include prosecuting political opponents and journalists.

Patel’s nomination reflects Trump’s broader anti-establishment approach to governance.

  • yesman@lemmy.world
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    22 days ago

    This guy is going to ruin the FBI and that’s a good thing. If you’re worried that he’ll use the institution to punish his political enemies, I’ll remind you that past Directors have assassinated leftests and Civil Rights Leaders. So that’s hardly a break with tradition.

    I’m not going to bootlick just because Trump is the one fucking with these pigs.

    • taiyang@lemmy.world
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      22 days ago

      The FBI has close to 37k people working for it, about a third of which are agents. While it’s true they targeted folks (including MLK Jr.!) they’re also responsible for keeping important Intel on Russia, Iran, North Korea, and so on, including nuclear counter-ops. Basically, they do alot of stuff. Who do you think tipped Ukraine off to Russian aggression before their invasion?

      I’ve mixed feelings about them, but I really would rather have reform over whatever the fuck Patel’s going to try.

    • ReallyActuallyFrankenstein@lemmynsfw.com
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      22 days ago

      I mean, he’s going to ruin the FBI by prosecuting anyone who’s Trump’s enemy. That’s just accelerationism.

      If your point is that the FBI is a dangerous weapon that gets misused, personally I don’t think giving control of that weapon to a madman who promises to misuse it is improving things.