BREAKING: Trump nominates Kash Patel for FBI director

Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social and stated, "I am proud to announce that Kashyap 'Kash' Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People. He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution."

He added, "Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI."

It was previously reported that the president-elect was considering Patel for a position either in the DOJ or FBI. In the lead up to the nomination of Patel, many conservatives were backing Patel for the FBI director role. That same sentiment was seen in reaction to the nomination.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) posted in light of the nomination, "Great choice by Donald Trump. Kash is a patriot and 100% America First."

TPUSA founder and CEO Charlie Kirk posted, saying that Patel was a "phenomenal choice" by Trump and congratulated Patel on the nomination.

However, not everyone was as happy about Trump's choice. Former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe, for example, claimed that Patel would make the agency similar to the "pre-Watergate FBI."

McCabe also claimed, "It's a terrible development for the men and women of the FBI and also for the nation that depends on a highly functioning, professional, independent FBI," and stoked fears that Trump would use the FBI for his "political agenda."

Patel previously worked under the Trump administration and "began his career as a public defender, trying scores of complex cases ranging from murder, to narco-trafficking, to complex financial crimes in jury trials in state and federal courts," his Department of Defense profile states.

He "oversaw the execution of several of President Donald J. Trump’s top priorities, including eliminating ISIS and Al-Qa’ida leadership such as al-Baghdadi and Qasem al-Rimi, and the safe repatriation of numerous American hostages."