Donald Trump Appoints Kash Patel as FBI Head Amid Controversy and Far-Right Backlash
JosE luis Villegas/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump has appointed Kash Patel as the new head of the FBI, a decision that has stirred significant controversy and criticism from his detractors. Patel’s close ties to Trump and his alleged connections to QAnon have made the move particularly polarizing, with supporters and critics alike voicing their opinions.
Patel has long been regarded as a staunch Trump loyalist, and his appointment has sparked warnings from far-right voices urging him to be cautious of those within Trump’s circle. Morgan Ortagus, a former Trump-endorsed congressional candidate in Tennessee, shared a photo with Patel and Trump on social media, describing their meeting as a “beautiful Sunday lunch.”
“A beautiful Sunday lunch with 45/47 and the next [FBI] Director my friend [Patel],” Ortagus posted. However, Ortagus’s praise drew sharp criticism from far-right activist Laura Loomer. Known for her outspoken views, Loomer reminded Ortagus of her past comments critical of Trump, told Forbes.
“I bet it was beautiful… Remember when you went on MSDNC and said ‘you didn’t know’ if you could ever support Donald Trump as the GOP nominee for President while you were a campaign surrogate for [Jeb Bush]?” Loomer responded. She also accused Ortagus of being disingenuous, calling her a “snake” and alleging she was disliked by former colleagues at the State Department.
“I love Kash Patel. He has always been a big supporter of the J6 patriots and even raised money for them,” Loomer wrote, warning Patel about Ortagus. “Morgan Ortagus is a snake… and she is a traitor to Trump.” The criticism didn’t stop there. Teri McCoy, a self-described Trump supporter on X, issued a “Snake Alert” about Ortagus, while another account accused her of being a political opportunist, referencing her past support for Jeb Bush in 2016 and Nikki Haley in 2024.
A popular MAGA account, Tammie McDonald, dismissed Ortagus outright, adding a snake emoji to her post. Patel has not publicly responded to the warnings or the controversy surrounding his appointment. Despite the backlash, his new role as FBI head underscores Trump’s commitment to placing trusted allies in key positions as he prepares to return to the White House.
As tensions escalate, Patel finds himself at the center of a storm, with supporters urging vigilance and critics amplifying concerns about the implications of his appointment.
