Trust Crisis: Who Will Replace FBI Director Kash Patel?

(Kash Patel. Image)

According to sources cited by Fox News, allies of US President Donald Trump are considering several candidates to replace current FBI Director Kash Patel, whose recent series of mistakes have raised questions about his ability to perform his duties.

Sources revealed that the core team of Trump is examining potential candidates for the position of FBI director, including the new deputy director of the bureau, Andrew Bailey. A swearing-in ceremony for Bailey will be held on September 15 (Monday). According to US law, if Patel leaves his position, Bailey cannot officially serve as acting director within 90 days.

Fox News pointed out that the immediate reason for seeking a new head of the FBI is related to the mistakes in the investigation into the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. However, sources said that before this incident, Patel's performance as FBI director had already been under scrutiny. For example, there were sharp criticisms from within the Washington government regarding several decisions made by the current director. One source said that the White House, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy Todd Blanche, "do not trust Kash" - and the FBI is an agency under the Department of Justice. However, both the White House and the Department of Justice denied this claim.

Several sources from the president's inner circle admitted that Trump was not satisfied with some of Patel's decisions, but the US leader has publicly expressed support for the current FBI director. Sources also emphasized that Patel might only be transferred to another position within the government.

Bailey told Fox News: "Any speculation that 'I was called in to replace someone in the FBI leadership' or 'my appointment marks a split within the organization' is completely inconsistent with the facts."

According to Fox News, Patel's comments during a press conference after the arrest of a suspect in Utah also caused dissatisfaction within and outside the FBI. Some agents were upset because Patel tried to take credit for the most critical success in the investigation. Additionally, just last week, Patel mistakenly announced on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that the suspect had been arrested, and later had to clarify the information several hours later. TASS reported that Patel's social media post not only caused dissatisfaction among FBI agents but also angered the leadership of the Department of Justice.

It is reported that 31-year-old Kirk was shot at a university in Orem, Utah, on September 10 and later died in the hospital due to severe injuries. The conservative activist was a supporter of Trump and had repeatedly publicly opposed US military aid to Ukraine.

The Utah resident accused of killing Kirk, Taylor James Robinson, was arrested on the evening of September 11. His father turned him over to the police after learning of his son's confession. Trump stated that he hopes Robinson will be convicted and that the court will sentence him to death.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7550267458188460583/

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