Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) adopted a measured stance regarding Kash Patel, President-elect Trump’s choice to lead the FBI, while expressing continued support for current FBI Director Chris Wray.
Rounds, during an appearance on ABC’s This Week, reflected on Wray’s tenure, noting, “The president made a strong choice when he appointed Wray in his first term.” The senator emphasized that his private interactions with Wray had given him no cause for concern, affirming his confidence in Wray’s leadership.
Rounds backs Wray’s record while acknowledging Trump’s nominee choice
Appointed by Trump in 2017 to a 10-year term, Wray now faces removal, with Trump signaling his intention to replace him with Patel. A staunch Trump ally, Patel’s nomination has already drawn attention due to his controversial past.
Rounds acknowledged the president’s prerogative to nominate candidates but underscored the Senate’s role in thoroughly vetting such appointments. He described the process as one of “advice and consent,” a critical element of the constitutional framework.
Patel’s confirmation process is expected to be contentious, given his involvement in discrediting the Democrats’ Russia investigation while advising the House Intelligence Committee. Rounds noted that Trump’s pattern of selecting loyalists for key roles aligns with his approach to building a Cabinet.
On the matter of Wray’s potential dismissal, Rounds refrained from criticizing Trump’s decision-making, emphasizing the constitutional separation of powers. He stated that presidents are entitled to assemble teams that align with their vision, adding, “We give them the benefit of the doubt while ensuring a thorough confirmation process for nominees.”
