Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois' 8th District, has expressed significant concerns over former President Donald Trump's intent to nominate Kash Patel as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the broader implications of the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) initiative.
Speaking to CNN, Krishnamoorthi described the selection of Patel as "a troubling pick," citing potential risks to national security and the internal stability of the FBI. "Our adversaries and bad guys are cheering for someone going on a political vengeance tour as the head of the FBI," he stated.
Highlighting the concerns of Patel’s former colleagues, including John Bolton and Bill Barr, Krishnamoorthi emphasized the divisive nature of the nomination.
“I think that it is a troubling pick [Kash Patel as FBI Director]… our adversaries and bad guys are cheering for someone going on a political vengeance tour as the head of the FBI.”https://t.co/N0pykalueG
— Raja Krishnamoorthi (@RajaForCongress) December 2, 2024
He further elaborated on the potential consequences of Patel leading the FBI. “The best talent at the FBI is going to be exiting the doors. They don’t want to be part of the circus, and we need the best people at the FBI,” he warned.
Krishnamoorthi also rejected the notion that the American people endorsed political retribution, saying, "We want somebody at the head of the FBI, whether Republican or Democrat, who puts the American people's interests first—not Donald Trump's."
The Congressman expressed hope that bipartisan resistance in the Senate could block Patel's confirmation, adding, "I’ve got to believe there are more than four Republican senators who share my concerns and other Democrats' concerns."
In addition to addressing Patel’s nomination, Krishnamoorthi voiced skepticism about the DOGE initiative, which is set to be spearheaded by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. The initiative, backed by Trump, aims to slash $2 trillion in government spending. While acknowledging the need for efficiency, Krishnamoorthi cautioned against extreme measures that could target critical programs like Social Security.
"If this is just an exercise in cutting Social Security and dodging bipartisanship, it’s a nonstarter," he said. Krishnamoorthi also pointed out the partisanship he anticipates in the effort, referencing the rumored leadership of the DOGE subcommittee by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene. "That gives you a taste of perhaps the partisan flavor of this effort as well," he remarked.
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