Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed his positive outlook following a meeting with Kash Patel, President-elect Trump's pick for FBI director. Cornyn stated that he is likely to support Patel, pending any unforeseen circumstances.
During their discussion, Cornyn and Patel emphasized the importance of restoring the FBI's reputation as a nonpartisan law enforcement agency. This focus stems from the erosion of public confidence in the FBI due to former Director James Comey's handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton.
Cornyn criticized Comey for making prosecutorial decisions that should have been left to the attorney general, referring to Comey's public statements on the Clinton email case. The senator also condemned Comey's actions post-firing, accusing him of seeking retribution against President Trump by pushing for a special counsel.
Cornyn highlighted the need to shield individuals, including the President, from partisan influences within the DOJ and FBI. He emphasized the goal of reinstating the nonpartisan nature of these key law enforcement agencies, a goal that Patel reportedly shares.
Patel has been actively engaging with senators to garner support ahead of Trump's official nomination process. This outreach aligns with the broader strategy of Trump's nominees to secure backing from key lawmakers as they prepare to assume their respective roles in the new administration.
