Maine Senator Susan Collins has left the door open to confirming Kash Patel as Donald Trump’s choice for FBI director.
According to Politico, Collins said she did not know Patel but would do the appropriate research before reaching a decision.
“I don’t know Kash Patel,” Collins said. “I had heard his name, but I don’t know his background, and I’m going to have to do a lot of work before reaching a decision on him.”
“In general, I’ve found it’s important to review the background check, the committee work and the public hearing,” she added.
A former federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice as well as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense under the previous administration, Patel was nominated by to clean up the FBI from the corruption that has tainted its image over the past decade.
In his statement announcing the nomination, Trump said that Patel “played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution.”
“This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border,” Trump added.
GOOD NEWS! Trump Officially Nominates Kash Patel For FBI Director
Despite Patel’s stellar credentials and Republicans holding a comfortable majority in the Senate, there has been speculation that he may struggle to receive confirmation from the Senate because of the likes of Collins and her fellow RINO’s refusing to vote for him.
However, that same report from Politico indicated that potentially skeptical Republican Senators believe he will be confirmed:
A number of GOP senators on Monday evening said they thought Patel could be confirmed. Soon-to-be Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said “the president ought to have who he wants serving in his administration.”
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said he plans on meeting with Patel this week and is “in a presumptive positive position” over the nomination “right now.”
I do think he will be able to get confirmed, absolutely,” said Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), who has expressed reservations about Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to be Defense secretary.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz said in an interview with CBS’s Face The Nation that he also expects Patel will get over the line.
“Listen, I think Kash Patel is a very strong nominee. I think the entire slate of cabinet nominees President Trump has put forward is very strong,” Cruz said.
“I believe every one of these cabinet nominees is going to be confirmed by the Senate,” he continued. “I think Kash Patel is going to be confirmed by the Senate.”
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