Donald Trump is contemplating major changes to the FBI leadership by potentially removing the current director and appointing a former agent loyal to his MAGA agenda to fill one of the top positions.
Trump has long planned to dismiss Christopher Wray if he won the election, but in recent days, finding a suitable replacement who aligns with his agenda and can secure Senate confirmation has proven challenging. This issue became more pronounced after Matt Gaetz, his first pick for attorney general, faced massive confirmation hurdles before withdrawing his name.
Mike Rogers emerges as a possible pick for FBI director under Trump’s administration
One possible option that has emerged is the appointment of Mike Rogers, a former FBI special agent and ex-congressman from Michigan who recently lost a Senate race, as FBI director. Alongside Rogers, Kash Patel, a contentious MAGA supporter, is being considered for the deputy director role, according to sources familiar with Trump’s thinking.
This strategy might satisfy Senate Republicans concerned about Trump’s plans for the FBI while also addressing frustrations within the MAGA circle over the lack of allies in high-profile positions, sources told CNN.
Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI and CNN senior law enforcement analyst, stated Thursday that Rogers would be a “logical” choice to lead the FBI, citing his expertise in intelligence and his FBI background. However, McCabe strongly opposed Patel’s appointment, warning that placing him in a leadership role would be disastrous for the agency.
He emphasized on CNN’s The Source that Patel’s lack of experience within the FBI would make him unfit for any leadership position, especially as deputy director. McCabe, who was dismissed by Trump shortly before his retirement in 2018, remarked that it was “inconceivable” for someone like Patel to perform adequately.
Trump’s final decisions are often fluid, with nothing confirmed until it appears on his Truth Social account, according to his advisers. Trump has been interviewing several candidates at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, with some dropping out only to be reconsidered. Throughout this process, Trump has also received advice and input from longtime friends on the matter.
The potential appointment of Patel as deputy director follows reports from earlier in the week that Trump was considering him for the top position at the FBI, which raised alarms among sources close to the transition. These sources expressed serious concerns about the prospect of Patel holding such a powerful role.
Patel, who gained prominence during Trump’s first term, had been considered for key positions before, including a potential replacement for CIA Director Gina Haspel after the 2020 election. He was also briefly discussed as a candidate for deputy FBI director during the final weeks of Trump’s first term.
The deputy director role is a career position, not a political appointment, and then-Attorney General William Barr played a crucial role in convincing Trump not to appoint Patel to this post at that time.
