1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I strongly urge you not to confirm Kash Patel as the Director of the FBI. Appointing Patel to lead the nation's premier law enforcement agency would gravely endanger its integrity and independence. As outlined in the letter from respected former Republican officials, Patel lacks the necessary experience, ethics, and commitment to upholding the rule of law required for this critical role. Patel has exhibited poor judgment that has jeopardized national security operations and American lives. His promotion of dangerous conspiracy theories like QAnon and his portrayal of the January 6th rioters as "political prisoners" demonstrates a concerning disregard for the truth and the oath to protect and defend the Constitution. The FBI should never be wielded as a tool for partisan revenge, which appears to be Patel's primary motivation based on his vows to "punish Trump critics." Confirming Patel would irreparably damage public faith in the FBI as a non-partisan institution dedicated to justice and the American people, not any individual's personal agenda. His confirmation threatens to compromise the Bureau's ability to effectively carry out its vital law enforcement and counterintelligence missions free from undue political influence. The Senate has a responsibility to the nation to thoroughly vet Patel's disturbing record and reject this ill-advised nomination to preserve the FBI's integrity and national security. A person so openly hostile to democratic norms has no place leading such a pivotal agency.