Donald Trump, the US President-elect, has appointed Kashyap 'Kash' Patel as the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This move makes Patel the second Indian-American to be included in Trump’s cabinet. Patel, a long-time Trump loyalist, has held several significant roles in the US government, including Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense and Deputy Director of National Intelligence during Trump’s first term.
In his announcement on Truth Social, Trump praised Patel as an «exceptional lawyer, investigator, and 'America First' advocate» and emphasised his commitment to exposing corruption and upholding justice. Trump highlighted Patel's past work, which included playing a key role in debunking the «Russia, Russia, Russia» investigation and defending the Constitution. «Kash delivered remarkable service during my first term, holding positions such as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council,» Trump wrote.
Kashyap Patel is known for his strong and sometimes controversial views, which often set him apart from mainstream US media and political narratives. One of Patel’s most vocal stances is on the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, India, and the historical significance of the site, which has become a topic of heated debate. During the consecration of the Ram Temple, Patel criticised US media coverage, accusing them of focusing on the past 50 years of history while neglecting the temple’s deep historical roots.