By Steve Neavling
President-elect Donald Trump has announced two high-profile appointments to key federal law enforcement agencies, both of whom share his “America First” ideology.
Trump named Kash Patel, a former aide and staunch ally, as his pick to lead the FBI, and Chad Chronister, the sheriff of Hillsborough County, Fla., as his choice to head the DEA, BBC reports.
The appointments underscore Trump’s strategy to place loyalists in critical law enforcement roles as he prepares for his second term.
Both Patel and Chronister, along with Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi, will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Patel, who previously served as chief of staff at the Department of Defense during Trump’s first term, is a controversial figure. Known for his deep skepticism of federal institutions, Patel has often criticized the FBI, calling for drastic reforms in his memoir “Government Gangsters.” He advocates limiting the agency’s authority and has suggested firing senior leadership to address what he sees as entrenched “government tyranny.”
Trump appointed the current FBI Director, Christopher Wray, in 2017 for the traditional 10-year term. However, Wray fell out of favor with Trump after the FBI played a role in investigating the former president’s handling of classified documents — a case that has since been dropped. For Patel to assume the role, Wray would need to resign or be removed.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump praised Patel as “a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter” committed to exposing corruption and defending the Constitution. However, Patel’s divisive reputation has sparked backlash from Democrats and even some Republicans.
Trump’s second major law enforcement pick, Chad Chronister, has a less contentious record. As sheriff of Hillsborough County, Chronister has focused on public safety initiatives and tackling the opioid crisis, aligning with Trump’s priorities for the DEA. If confirmed, Chronister would lead the agency tasked with combating drug trafficking and enforcing federal drug laws.
Trump’s nominations have ignited debate on Capitol Hill. While some Republicans have expressed continued support for Wray, others have embraced Trump’s push for new leadership at the FBI.
“I think the president picked a very good man to be the director of the FBI when he did that in his first term,” said Sen. Mike Rounds, R-SD. “I’ve had no objections to the way Wray has handled himself.”
The FBI responded cautiously to the news, emphasizing the agency’s ongoing work to protect Americans.
“Director Wray’s focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for,” the bureau said in a statement.
