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News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
US FBI Director Kash Patel Extends Wishes To India On Independence Day
Last Updated: FBI Director Kash Patel and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio extend Independence Day greetings to India. US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on Friday extended greetings to India on its 79th Independence Day. Patel posted a reply on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's X post on Independence day celebrations, saying, 'Happy Independence Day India." Happy Independence Day India — Kash Patel (@Kash_Patel) August 15, 2025 Earlier today, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also wished the country, saying that the 'historic relationship" between the two countries is consequential and far-reaching, and pledged to work together to address modern challenges. 'On behalf of the United States, I extend our congratulations and warm wishes to the people of India as they celebrate their Independence Day on August 15," he said. 'The historic relationship between the world's largest democracy and the world's oldest democracy is consequential and far-reaching. Our two countries are united by our shared vision for a more peaceful, prosperous, and secure Indo-Pacific region. Our partnership spans industries, promotes innovation, pushes the boundaries of critical and emerging technologies, and extends into space," he added. India is celebrating its 79th Independence Day on today with full patriotic fervour. The day commemorates the nation's freedom from over 200 years of British colonial rule, which finally came to an end in 1947. Who Is Kash Patel? Kash Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist, has a background in both defence and intelligence. Born in 1980 in Garden City, New York, to Gujarati Indian immigrant parents, Patel's career has been closely tied to Trump's political rise. After completing his law degree at Pace University, Patel initially struggled to land a prestigious law firm job. Instead, he spent nearly nine years as a public defender before joining the US Justice Department. Patel soon gained national attention for his role in the committee's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election. He was instrumental in drafting the controversial 'Nunes Memo," which accused the FBI of abusing surveillance powers in its investigation into the Trump campaign. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The National
30-01-2025
- Politics
- The National
Who is Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI director?
Kash Patel, President Donald Trump 's nominee for the head of the FBI, on Thursday appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing, where he was grilled by senators on his experience and his belief in conspiracy theories. If confirmed, the one-time aide to Mr Trump would oversee one of the largest US law enforcement agencies. Mr Patel, 44, is the son of Gujarati Indian parents. He worked as a public defender in Florida before working as a lawyer for the Justice Department. He worked for the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, serving as deputy assistant to the President and senior director for counter-terrorism. Mr Patel also worked as an aide to the House Intelligence Committee. The President's pick for FBI chief has alarmed critics with his rhetoric – in dozens of interviews and books he has written – in which he has demonstrated fealty to Mr Trump and assailed the decision-making of the agency he has now been asked to lead. He has also identified by name officials he believes should be investigated. During his hearing, however, Mr Patel vowed not to go after political enemies. 'I have no interest nor desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards … there will be no politicisation at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken by the FBI,' he said. Before his nomination, he railed against the FBI over its investigations into Mr Trump and claimed that rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol had been mistreated by the Justice Department. He has, however, said he did not agree with Mr Trump's decision to pardon all those involved in the riot. 'I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement,' Mr Patel said during his hearing. Mr Patel has often spouted conspiracy theories and has also been accused of supporting QAnon views. The movement, based on a series of online posts from an anonymous government official, pushes the idea that Mr Trump is waging a secret war against the 'deep state'. In one podcast interview last year, Mr Patel said that if he were in charge of the FBI, he would 'shut down' the bureau's headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington and 'reopen it the next day as a museum of the 'deep state''. 'And I'd take the 7,000 employees that work in that building and send them across America to go chase down criminals. Go be cops,' Mr Patel added. In a 2022 interview, he said 'the Q thing' is a movement 'a lot of people attach themselves to' and that 'I disagree with a lot of what that movement says, but I agree with a lot of what that movement says'.
