Elaina Plott Calabro, a Staff writer at The Atlantic known for her profile on Kash Patel, dives into the controversial rise of Patel within Trump's inner circle. They discuss Patel’s journey from public defender to a potential FBI director, highlighting the mixed reactions of loyalty he elicits. The conversation unveils his children’s book portraying Trump as a hero and examines the implications of Patel’s nomination against the backdrop of current political tensions. What does this mean for the FBI and Trump's legacy?
Kash Patel's controversial ascent in the Trump administration highlights the tensions between loyalty and competence within political appointments.
His potential leadership of the FBI raises concerns over aggressive tactics and unpredictable decision-making, altering the agency's traditional practices.
Deep dives
The Rise and Controversy of Kash Patel
Kash Patel's career trajectory is notable for its rapid ascent, characterized by his transition from a public defender to a prominent figure within the Trump administration. Initially engaging in high-profile roles, he gained notoriety by authoring a controversial memo alleging bias within the FBI and the Department of Justice against Trump's presidency. This memo not only attracted media attention but also fueled significant political discourse regarding alleged government conspiracies against Trump. Despite his loyalty to Trump, Patel faced skepticism from even his peers in the administration, with many viewing him as erratic and self-serving.
Patel's Unique Approach in Legal and Political Realms
Patel's legal background, including his time as a federal prosecutor, paints a picture of a skilled performer in the courtroom. He earned a reputation for being effective in front of judges, yet his lack of interest in the detailed legal processes led to criticisms about his capabilities. An anecdote that stands out is his embarrassing courtroom appearance when he arrived without appropriate attire, a moment that intensified his desire for recognition within the Department of Justice. This incident contributed to his transition into the political sphere, where he immediately seized opportunities to align himself with prominent Republican figures.
Potential Consequences of Patel Leading the FBI
The prospect of Kash Patel taking the helm of the FBI raises significant concerns regarding his leadership style and intentions. His past statements suggest a willingness to pursue aggressive tactics against perceived enemies in government and media alike, indicating a shift away from conventional FBI practices. A critical event during his tenure involved a successful yet disorganized hostage rescue mission, highlighting his unpredictable nature and lack of foresight in high-stakes situations. The potential impact of his leadership could lead to substantial changes within the FBI, particularly if he were to act on his rhetoric against dissenters, creating an environment of uncertainty and fear.
During his first administration, Donald Trump tried naming Kash Patel as deputy director of the FBI, but members of the administration pushed back. Now with the second administration filled with loyalists, Trump has named Patel as his pick for FBI director. What does Trump see in this guy?
Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.
Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme and Rob Gunther.
Disclosure in Podcast Description: A Bond Account is a self-directed brokerage account with Public Investing, member FINRA/SIPC. Deposits into this account are used to purchase 10 investment-grade and high-yield bonds. As of 9/26/24, the average, annualized yield to worst (YTW) across the Bond Account is greater than 6%. A bond’s yield is a function of its market price, which can fluctuate; therefore, a bond’s YTW is not “locked in” until the bond is purchased, and your yield at time of purchase may be different from the yield shown here. The “locked in” YTW is not guaranteed; you may receive less than the YTW of the bonds in the Bond Account if you sell any of the bonds before maturity or if the issuer defaults on the bond. Public Investing charges a markup on each bond trade. See our Fee Schedule. Bond Accounts are not recommendations of individual bonds or default allocations. The bonds in the Bond Account have not been selected based on your needs or risk profile. See https://public.com/disclosures/bond-account to learn more.