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Trump defends Kash Patel as FBI pick, says he is 'obligated' to investigate corrupt politicians
US President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview that he would not direct Kash Patel to investigate figures from the purported "deep state" list.
President elect Donald Trump and Kash Patel. / Reuters/File Photo
In his first network interview since winning the November election, President-elect Donald Trump expressed confidence in Kash Patel as a potential FBI director, emphasizing his fairness while downplaying expectations of politically charged investigations.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, Trump dismissed suggestions that Patel would be directed to investigate figures from his purported "deep state" list, a concept highlighted in Patel’s book, which includes names like Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and former Trump administration officials Bill Barr and Christopher Wray.
"He’s going to do what he thinks is right," Trump said, adding, "If they think somebody was dishonest or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it. But I’m not going to direct him."
During the interview, Trump also lashed out at individuals he accuses of overreach in investigating him, singling out special counsel Jack Smith as “very corrupt” and branding members of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol attack as “political thugs” and “creeps.”
“For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump declared. However, when pressed on whether he would direct the Justice Department or FBI to target his critics, Trump denied any intention to do so, stating, “No, not at all. I think that they’ll have to look at that, but I’m going to focus on drill, baby, drill,” a reference to his plans for expanding U.S. oil production.
Trump also reiterated his commitment to key campaign promises, including mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, pardons for Jan. 6 rioters, and sweeping tax cuts.
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