Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California has raised concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's choices for FBI director and national intelligence director. Schiff criticized the nominations of Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, citing their lack of experience and controversial past comments.
Regarding Kash Patel, Schiff expressed his belief that Patel's past remarks indicate he would be unfit to lead the FBI. Schiff highlighted Patel's comments about shutting down FBI headquarters and opening a museum to the 'deep state,' labeling him as a conspiracy theorist.
Turning his attention to Tulsi Gabbard, Schiff pointed out her perceived lack of experience, poor judgment, and failure to distinguish between allies and adversaries. He specifically mentioned Gabbard's statements about Bashar al-Assad and her alignment with Kremlin talking points on the Ukraine conflict.
Additionally, Schiff condemned Trump's pledge to pardon Capitol rioters who were convicted of crimes related to the January 6th insurrection. He expressed concern that pardoning individuals who attacked law enforcement officers could establish a dangerous precedent for presidential clemency.
As a member of the January 6th Select Committee, Schiff emphasized the seriousness of Trump's potential pardons and the implications they could have on accountability for the events of that day.
Overall, Sen. Schiff's criticisms underscore the importance of qualifications, judgment, and ethical considerations in selecting individuals for key national security positions.
