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Sen. Susan Collins as bought her political model as a reasonable, however she virtually at all times finally ends up supporting the positions of Trump and her social gathering. Collins is known for issuing statements expressing concern about issues that Trump has stated or finished after which doing nothing else.
Given this context, it’s pleasantly shocking that Collins has moved past concern and is opposing Trump’s nominee for FBI Director Kash Patel.
Sen. Collins stated in a press release:
The nomination of Kash Patel to function Director of the FBI involves the Senate in opposition to the backdrop of current personnel actions on the Division of Justice, together with the resignations of a number of profession federal prosecutors who felt they have been being instructed to behave in a fashion inconsistent with their moral obligations. As well as, a questionnaire has been despatched to 1000’s of FBI staff relating to their involvement in sure investigations. As I’ve acknowledged beforehand, these initiatives elevate the specter that opposed actions could possibly be taken in opposition to FBI staff – together with particular brokers within the discipline – who’ve devoted their careers to public service and who don’t select their assignments. It’s essential that any efforts to advertise accountability on the FBI be fastidiously calibrated and never have the impact of driving away devoted public servants who maintain our nation and communities protected.
On this context, there’s a compelling want for an FBI Director who’s decidedly apolitical. Whereas Mr. Patel has had 16 years of devoted public service, his time over the previous 4 years has been characterised by excessive profile and aggressive political exercise. Mr. Patel has made quite a few politically charged statements in his e book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very establishment he has been nominated to guide. These statements, along with the questionnaire despatched to 1000’s of FBI staff, forged doubt on Mr. Patel’s means to advance the FBI’s regulation enforcement mission in a manner that’s free from the looks of political motivation.
Whereas I strongly assist efforts to make sure all federal staff carry out their duties ethically and in accordance with the regulation, Mr. Patel’s current political profile undermines his means to serve within the apolitical position of Director of the FBI.
Due to this fact, I’ll vote in opposition to his nomination.
There may be nothing objectionable within the assertion from Sen. Collins. The FBI and its director ought to be apolitical. The particular person serving as FBI director also needs to be certified.
The bar has been lowered to such a level by Trump’s cupboard nominees that discuss of {qualifications} hardly ever registers as a blip on the political radar.
The concept any Senate Republican would nonetheless vote for Patel after a number of whistleblowers got here ahead to allege that Patel was operating an unlawful purge of the FBI as Trump’s nominee is deeply troubling.
Kash Patel is a political operative of Donald Trump’s who doesn’t belong anyplace close to the FBI.
Hopefully, a number of extra Senate Republicans will be a part of Democrats in rejecting Patel.
What do you consider Susan Collins being a no on Kash Patel? Share your ideas within the feedback under.
