‘America First patriot’: Kash Patel’s nomination wins support from House Speaker Johnson

House Speaker Mike Johnson came out in support of Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for director of the FBI.

“Kash Patel has extensive experience in national security and intelligence. He is an America First patriot who will bring much-needed change and transparency to the FBI,” Mr. Johnson wrote in an X post Sunday. “Congratulations to Kash!”

Mr. Johnson does not get a vote on confirming Mr. Patel — that is a role reserved for the Senate. But it does serve as an indicator that Mr. Trump is succeeding in rallying the party around Mr. Patel.

Mr. Trump announced he was nominating Mr. Patel on Saturday in an X post.

“Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Mr. Trump said.

Mr. Patel served in the first Trump administration. He is an advocate of getting rid of the “deep state” and those in the government and the media who have played a role in it.

“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my first term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials,” Mr. Trump said in the social media post.

If Mr. Patel is confirmed, he would be replacing FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was nominated by Mr. Trump in 2017 for the 10-year term.

Although the term doesn’t end for a couple more years, the FBI director can be dismissed at will by the president and Mr. Trump has made no secret of his disdain for Mr. Wray’s behavior in office or of his desire to clean house at Justice and the FBI.