Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley praises Kash Patel, Trump's controversial pick for FBI director
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley praised President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kashyap "Kash" Patel, as being "very, very helpful" in conducting government oversight work.
Grassley, who is in line to once again chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, would not say how he'd vote on Patel's nomination. But he told the Des Moines Register Wednesday that the FBI has become a tool of political weaponization that lacks transparency under current director Christopher Wray.
"I can't tell you how many letters I've written Wray for my investigative purposes that have not been answered at all or not properly answered," Grassley told the Register. "And I think we need the sort of transparency that comes from congressional oversight."
He contrasted that with Patel's efforts.
"I do know about his efforts to help me in my oversight, even though I didn't deal with him directly as much as my investigative staff," Grassley said. "But he has been so very, very helpful to us on uncovering wrongdoing in government, particularly in the FBI and the Justice Department."
Patel is a former federal prosecutor who served in various high-ranking staff positions in U.S. defense and intelligence agencies during Trump's first term. He is a staunch Trump loyalist who has signaled he would prioritize the destruction of the so-called “deep state.”
Wray, who was appointed by Trump, would either have to resign or be fired for Patel to take over the position.
Grassley recently posted to social media that Wray has "failed at fundamental duties" of the role.
"He’s showed disdain for cong oversight & hasn’t lived up to his promises," Grassley posted to the website X. "It’s time 2 chart a new course 4 TRANSPARENCY +ACCOUNTABILITY at FBI[.] Kash Patel must prove to Congress he will reform &restore public trust in FBI."
Chuck Grassley wants to hold hearing on Pam Bondi's attorney general nomination before Trump is sworn in
Grassley said he's spent the week meeting with several of Trump's Cabinet nominees, including Pam Bondi, Trump's attorney general nominee.
Grassley said he met with her in his office for about 45 minutes to an hour Monday, and the two "discussed the need for transparency and reform at the Justice Department."
"As chair of the Judiciary Committee next Congress, I'll move quickly to hold a hearing on her nomination, hopefully even before President-elect is sworn in," he said.
Bondi became Trump's nominee after his initial pick, former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., stepped aside amid allegations of sex trafficking. She is the former attorney general of Florida.
Grassley said he also met with Jamieson Greer, whom Trump tapped to serve as his U.S. trade representative.
"Iowa's economy relies heavily on free and fair trade, Grassley said. "I welcome the chance to speak with Greer about the importance of trade agreements and the need to expand Americans' access to foreign markets."
Paste BN contributed to this report.
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for Paste BN as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.