Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI Director under President-elect Donald Trump, assured Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) that he would not pursue his political enemies, contradicting his previous declarations.
During an interview on ABC’s “This Week” with Jonathan Karl, Fetterman disclosed that Patel had conveyed his reluctance to utilize the FBI against individuals critical of Trump, despite earlier promises to do so.
Commitment to Non-Targeting
“I won’t delve into specifics, but rest assured, that scenario will never materialize,” Fetterman affirmed in response to Karl’s inquiry regarding Patel’s prior statements about targeting political adversaries. “That’s not on the agenda… that’s his assertion.”
Upon Patel’s nomination, a quote from his 2023 podcast conversation with Steve Bannon circulated widely. Patel stated, “We will hold accountable those in the media who spread falsehoods about American citizens, who facilitated Joe Biden’s manipulation of the presidential elections.” His book, “Government Gangsters,” identified 60 potential targets for a prospective Trump administration.
Insights from Meeting
Engaging with some of Trump’s contentious Cabinet picks, Fetterman, one of the few Democratic senators doing so, expressed no remorse. He shared that his interaction with Patel shed light on Patel’s background as a former public defender and his family’s immigration narrative.
“Certain nominees will receive my approval, while others may not,” Fetterman explained. “However, no one can accuse me of bias or blanket rejection based solely on Trump’s selection.”
Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), set to fill Sen. Mitt Romney’s Senate seat, emphasized Patel’s impartiality to political affiliations in his incoming role.
Non-Partisan Stance
“For me, it was crucial that Kash commit to impartiality, as I am aware of his previous statements,” Curtis noted during an interview with Karl. “I stressed this point in our discussions, irrespective of party lines, and he assured me of his neutrality.”
When questioned about Republicans urging senators to align with Trump’s Cabinet picks due to his electoral mandate, Curtis recounted a conversation with his son during Thanksgiving.
“I outvoted him in Utah. Does that constitute a mandate?” Curtis rhetorically asked his son.
“Many overlook the ‘advice’ aspect of advice and consent. My duty is to thoroughly examine these nominees, understand their merits and flaws, and offer informed advice to the president. By doing so, I believe I can enhance his decision-making,” Curtis elaborated.
