Senator Josh Hawley, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed confidence in the nomination of Kash Patel as the next FBI director after a 'very substantive' meeting. Hawley believes that Patel's nomination will easily pass through the committee and the Senate floor.
During the meeting, Hawley and Patel did not discuss former President Trump's recent comments regarding the January 6th committee members. When asked about Patel's ability to maintain independence from Trump, Hawley emphasized the importance of regaining independence, citing concerns about the politicization of the agency under the Biden administration.
Furthermore, Senator Hawley expressed interest in meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence. When questioned about Gabbard's past conversation with Bashar al-Assad in 2017, Hawley stated his intention to have a substantive discussion with her in the future. He believes that Gabbard will have the opportunity to address any concerns during her confirmation hearing.
Overall, Senator Hawley's positive outlook on Patel's nomination and his willingness to engage in discussions with nominees reflect his commitment to thorough evaluation and consideration of key appointments in national security and law enforcement roles.
