Trump Criticizes FBI and Backs Kash Patel as New Director

President Donald Trump on Monday criticized the FBI, labeling it as "corrupt" and expressing support for his nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, stating that Patel is the person to "straighten it out." During a press conference at the Oval Office, Trump refrained from directly answering whether he would remove FBI employees involved in the investigation into the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.

When asked by Fox News if he believed anyone from the January 6 investigation should be fired, Trump did not provide a straightforward response. Instead, he reiterated his long-standing accusations against the bureau, claiming that he is a victim of its corruption. "I think the FBI was a very corrupt institution, and I'm a victim of it in the true sense," Trump stated.

He proceeded to express concerns over the bureau's reputation and the Department of Justice, stating, "We have to bring the reputation of the FBI not even back to what it was -- even better than it ever was." Trump emphasized that Patel must be the one to rebuild that trust.

These remarks come shortly after Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove issued a directive to the acting FBI director to terminate eight FBI employees and to identify all current and former personnel who were part of the January 6 and Hamas investigations for an internal review. Bove expressed doubts about the current leaders at the Justice Department trusting these FBI employees with executing the President's agenda.

Former FBI and Justice Department officials have cautioned that such firings, while permissible, could negatively impact the morale and effectiveness of the bureau. There's uncertainty regarding whether the Trump administration will proceed with actions against those employees associated with the January 6 investigation.

Concerns rose after Bove distributed a 12-page questionnaire to FBI personnel, inquiring about their involvement in the January 6 cases, as part of what has been described as a review process to consider additional personnel actions.

Since taking office, Trump has exhibited a pattern of dismissing numerous inspectors general and prosecutors linked to the special counsel investigations and has pushed for resignations among multiple FBI officials. Critics highlight that many of these actions might undermine the FBI’s ability to address significant issues such as counterterrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking.

Interestingly, the January 6 investigation was initiated during the Trump administration, a fact that is often overlooked in Trump's criticisms of the bureau.