In what most likely will be another contentious appointment, President-elect Donald Trump plans to tap longtime ally Kashyap "Kash" Patel to be the next FBI director.

Trump announced Patel's appointment in a Truth Social post on Saturday.

"Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People," Trump said. "He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution."

Patel will replace the current FBI director Christopher Wray, who must either resign or be fired for Patel to take the post.

Patel's appointment will almost certainly face an uphill battle in the Senate. Tuberville, however, swiftly came out with full-throated support for Patel, calling him the "perfect pick."

Patel has lengthy experience during Trump's first term, working as the National Security Advisor and senior counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), deputy assistant to the president on the National Security Council, deputy director of National Intelligence and chief of staff to then-acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller.

During his time on the HPSCI, he oversaw the probe into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and discovered surveillance of the Trump campaign by the FBI and DOJ.

Despite his accolades, Patel's history as a die-hard Trump supporter and a critic of establishment bureaucracy and the "deep state" in D.C. makes his final appointment a significant question mark among Washington lawmakers.

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.

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