President-elect Donald Trump has been deliberating between two candidates to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray, sources revealed. The contenders are Kash Patel and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.
Patel was initially considered for a top national intelligence role or a position within the Department of Justice. However, concerns were raised by individuals close to Trump, suggesting that Patel's Senate confirmation process might be contentious. Some advocated for Patel to be appointed as the deputy director of the FBI instead of the director.
Despite these reservations, key figures in Trump's circle, such as his sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, along with incoming deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, supported Patel's selection. They argued that Patel was the ideal candidate to lead the reform of the bureau, which Trump perceives as biased against him.
Trump conducted interviews with both Bailey and Patel at his Mar-a-Lago residence earlier this month. Following the in-person meeting with Bailey, Trump reportedly found him lacking the assertive qualities he desired in an FBI director.
According to a Trump adviser involved in the discussions, the decision ultimately hinged on Trump's preferences and the specific qualities he sought in an FBI director. Bailey was deemed unsuitable due to his perceived lack of the requisite personality.
As of last week, sources close to Trump indicated that the choice between Patel and Bailey was uncertain. However, some within Trump's inner circle expressed dissatisfaction with both candidates, hinting at the possibility of a new contender emerging if Trump delayed his decision.
The source highlighted that Patel was not universally favored for the role, emphasizing that Trump's decision would be driven by his personal inclinations and possibly influenced by the last individual he engaged with.
