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Politics
Douglas M. Charles, Professor of History, Penn State

The parallels between Kash Patel and William J. Burns, a scandal-mongering 1920s FBI director — an FBI historian explains

FBI Kash Patel Donald Trump J Edgar Hoover William J Burns Calvin Coolidge Christopher Wray the Department of Justice Thomas Walsh Warren Harding
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks at his confirmation hearing on Jan. 20, 2025, in Washington. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

After winning the 2024 election, President Donald Trump said on Nov. 30 that his new FBI director would be Kash Patel, a controversial lawyer and former Trump aide known for backing right-wing conspiracies.

Patel officially replaced FBI Director Christopher Wray, a 2017 Trump appointee, on Feb. 20, 2025.

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