Lawler says he has no reservations about Kash Patel for FBI chief

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said Sunday that he has no reservations about President-elect Trump’s choice of Kash Patel to lead the FBI.

“Do you have any reservations about Kash Patel serving in that role?” CNN’s Kasie Hunt asked the New York Republican on “State of the Union.”

“No,” Lawler said. “Donald Trump campaigned on reforming the FBI and the Department of Justice, so I don't know why any of this is, frankly, surprising to people.”

The choice of Patel as the FBI head has resulted in mixed reactions from lawmakers and ex-officials. Republicans, however, have praised Patel’s selection.

“It’s a terrible development for the men and women of the FBI and also for the nation that depends on a highly functioning professional independent Federal Bureau of Investigation,” former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said Saturday.

Patel has a history of pushing for mass firings, particularly at the FBI and Justice Department, and the rescinding of security clearances for those who investigated Trump during his 2016 presidential bid.

“The lack of confidence that Americans have in the Department of Justice and the FBI is terrible. And so, obviously, we want a system that is reformed, that works for the American people and that prosecutes criminals. And that should be the objective and the goal of every American,” Lawler said Sunday.

“And, obviously, that's what my hope is as the Department of Justice moves forward under Pam Bondi and the FBI under Kash Patel,” he added.

In a Saturday post on Truth Social, Trump called Patel “a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.”

“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution,” he added.

The Hill has reached out to the Justice Department for further comment.

"Every day, the men and women of the FBI continue to work to protect Americans from a growing array of threats. Director Wray's focus remains on the men and women of the FBI, the people we do the work with, and the people we do the work for,” the FBI said in a statement to The Hill on Sunday.

Updated at 10:25 pm EST.