Ex-FBI and CIA head urges Senate to reject Trump picks Patel and Gabbard
William Webster, the only man to head both the FBI and the CIA, has urged the US Senate to reject Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump?s nominees as directors of the bureau and national intelligence, arguing that they are unqualified.
Writing to senators, Webster, who is aged 100 and who was appointed by both Democrat and Republican presidents, called on them to ?weigh the critical importance of nonpartisan leadership and experience? and suggested that Patel and Gabbard possessed neither attribute.
?The safety of the American people ? and your own families ? depends on it,? he wrote, emphasising the importance of Senate confirmation hearings that will scrutinise the two nominees.
Wesbster, who was appointed as FBI director by Jimmy Carter in 1978, took aim at Patel?s suitability to head the bureau, implying that he exhibited an over-zealous loyalty to Trump that could undermine the rule of law and set a ?dangerous precedent?.
?While Mr Patel?s intelligence and patriotism are commendable, his close political alignment with President Trump raises serious concerns about impartiality and integrity,? he wrote.
?His record of executing the president?s directives suggest a loyalty to individuals rather than the rule of law ? a dangerous precedent for an agency tasked with impartial enforcement of justice.?
Patel has publicly vowed to pursue Trump?s enemies if confirmed and has said one of his first acts as director would be to close the FBI?s Washington headquarters and open it as a museum to the ?deep state? while dispersing agents across the US.
He also published a book, titled Government Gangsters, which identifies 60 individuals that critics have called an ?enemies list? that could be targeted under a Trump administration.
Webster, who was appointed director of the CIA by Ronald Reagan in 1987 and subsequently served under another Republican president, George HW Bush, also questioned Gabbard?s credentials to be director of national intelligence, a role that would put her in overall charge of 18 intelligence agencies.
?Gabbard?s profound lack of intelligence experience and the daunting task of overseeing 18 disparate intelligence agencies further highlight the need for seasoned leadership,? he wrote.
skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to The Stakes ? Presidential Transition Free newsletter We will guide you through the aftermath of the US election and the transition to a Trump presidency Enter your email address Sign up Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy . We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion
?Effective management of our intelligence community requires unparalleled expertise to navigate the complexities of global threats and to maintain the trust of allied nations. Without that trust, our ability to safeguard sensitive secrets and collaborate internationally is severely diminished.?
The nomination of Gabbard, a former Democrat presidential contender turned Republican, has alarmed many members of the intelligence community, who have cited her previous friendliness towards the recently ousted former Syrian dictator, Bashar Assad. She has also been criticised for repeating pro-Kremlin talking points in Russia?s war with Ukraine, fuelling suspicions that she has been ?groomed? by Russia.
Webster was among 100 Republican former national security and foreign policy officials to sign a letter endorsing Trump?s Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris, before last month?s presidential election.
