The new US administration's plans to reform the FBI

2024-12-27 18:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to bring changes to the US government also means reforming one of the country's leading law enforcement and intelligence agencies. VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin takes a look at the nominee Mr. Trump has chosen to lead and reform the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This announcement surprised many people. FBI Director Christopher Wray has told agency employees he will resign when President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

"It is the best way to avoid problems. What absolutely cannot change is our commitment to doing the right thing, the right way, every time," he said.

But changes are coming. Kash Patel - Mr Trump's pick to lead the FBI before Mr Wray announced plans to end his 10-year term early - met with lawmakers to help his confirmation.

Patel, 44, is a former public defender and federal prosecutor who worked as a national security adviser and at the Pentagon during Mr Trump's first term.

"I think Trump likes him for his views, which align with President Trump's, about abuses at the Justice Department, especially the FBI, and investigations where they shouldn't have," says John Fortier of the American Enterprise Institute.

Something that Mr. Patel has said openly.

"I am honored to be here in support of Donald Trump. He is a victim, but we as a country are an even greater victim of the unconstitutional transformation of justice into a weapon," he said.

Mr. Patel has angered opponents with announcements to close the bureau's Washington headquarters, reduce the FBI's surveillance powers and cut the size of the agency's intelligence operations.

He has also called for the dismantling of the so-called 'deep state' and in his 2023 book 'Government Gangsters' he names 60 officials who disagreed with Mr Trump.

"He can make some changes by himself or after some changes in personnel. But if he really aims for big changes, more work is needed from the executive and the legislature, so it needs more time and commitment not only from him", he says the analyst Fortier.

Kash Patel, according to Mr. Trump, is the right person to at least initiate these changes./ VOA