A former director of the CIA and FBI penned a letter expressing concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s picks of Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel to lead intelligence agencies.
William Webster, a Republican, is the only person to have led both the CIA and FBI, serving under the administrations of former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. In a letter to senators on Thursday, Webster expressed concern about Gabbard becoming the next director of national intelligence and Patel being the next FBI director, arguing they do not meet the needs of such posts.
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“While Mr. Patel’s intelligence and patriotism are commendable, his close political alignment with President Trump raises serious concerns about impartiality and integrity,” Webster wrote. “Statements such as ‘He’s my intel guy’ and 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.”
Webster’s concern with Gabbard is less about devotion to Trump and more about an alleged lack of experience.
“Effective management of our intelligence community requires unparalleled expertise to navigate the complexities of global threats and to maintain the trust of allied nations,” Webster, 100, wrote. “Without that trust, our ability to safeguard sensitive secrets and collaborate internationally is severely diminished. … This is no time in world history for a novice in the field to learn this role.”
Trump’s team dismissed Webster’s letter, pointing to the fact that Webster endorsed President Joe Biden.
“Lt. Col. Gabbard is an active member of the Army and has served in the military for over two decades and in Congress, as someone who has consumed intelligence at the highest levels, including during wartime, she recognizes the importance of partnerships with allies to ensure close coordination to keep the American people safe,” Alexa Henning, a Trump transition spokeswoman, said in a statement.
Another Trump transition spokesperson pointed out that Patel has previously worked in the Obama Justice Department.
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“Kash Patel is loyal to the Constitution. He’s worked under Presidents Obama and Trump in key national security roles,” said Alex Pfeiffer.
Some of Trump’s nominations to Cabinet and other top positions have come under scrutiny, with Patel and Gabbard chief among them. Other people, especially those outside the Washington, D.C., establishment, however, have praised their selections.
