“No Part of the FBI’s Mission Is Safe”: Andrew McCabe Warns Against Kash Patel in Leadership Role
Andrew McCabe on Capitol Hill in Washington on 23 December 2017. Photograph: Alex Brandon/AP
Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe voiced strong opposition Thursday to the potential appointment of MAGA loyalist Kash Patel to a top position in Donald Trump’s next administration. McCabe’s comments came during an appearance on CNN’s The Source, where he expressed grave concerns about Patel possibly taking over the role McCabe once held.
“No part of the FBI’s mission is safe with Kash Patel in any position of leadership in the FBI and certainly not in the deputy director’s job,” McCabe said. “If you enter into that position with nothing more than a desire to disrupt and destroy the organization, there is a lot of damage someone like Kash Patel could do in a position like deputy director at the FBI.”
McCabe explained that the deputy director role, which oversees the FBI’s day-to-day operations, requires a deep understanding of the bureau’s intricacies. Traditionally, the position is held by someone with decades of experience in the FBI, balancing both criminal and national security work.
“I can tell you from my own experience, there is no way I could have successfully performed in that role without having spent the first 10 years of my career doing criminal work in the FBI, and the next 10 years doing national security work,” McCabe added. “The scope of authority is enormous.”
Patel, a staunch Trump ally, has been a polarizing figure, raising concerns among critics about his suitability for a role requiring impartiality and institutional knowledge. McCabe suggested that Patel’s lack of experience and partisan leanings could undermine the bureau’s mission.
In contrast, McCabe endorsed another potential Trump pick, former Michigan Rep. and ex-FBI Special Agent Mike Rogers, as a strong choice for FBI director. “I think Mike Rogers fills the bill pretty well,” McCabe said, calling him “a totally reasonable, logical selection for FBI director.”
McCabe highlighted Rogers’ background with the FBI as a significant advantage. “He understands the organization,” McCabe said, suggesting that Rogers’ experience would make him well-suited to lead the bureau.
The contrasting assessments reflect broader concerns about Trump’s potential reshaping of the FBI’s leadership. While Rogers’ candidacy appears to draw bipartisan respect, Patel’s possible appointment has sparked fears of disruption and politicization within the bureau.
