Staff Reports
John Bolton, the former U.N. Ambassador known for his hawkish stances and an age-old vendetta against anything Trump-associated, recently decided to weigh in on the selection of Kash Patel to lead the FBI. In an effort to inject a dose of unrequested drama into the proceedings, Bolton likened the soon-to-be head of the FBI to Lavrenty Beria—the notorious chief of Soviet secret police under Stalin. It seems that in Bolton’s eyes, Trump’s picks are nothing less than threats to democracy itself, but hey, what’s a little hyperbole among friends?
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” the discussion predictably descended into the realm of melodrama, as Bolton expressed his belief that Patel’s nomination should be rejected with a resounding 100-0 by the Senate. Apparently, the former National Security Adviser views Patel as the ghost of Soviet repression incarnate rather than a passionate advocate for American values. Meanwhile, Bolton’s track record leaves much to be desired, making one wonder if the answer to every question about military intervention or deep-state maneuvers has been “whatever Bolton thinks.”
In a contrasting, yet undeniably cheeky take, Vice President-elect JD Vance chimed in, essentially flipping the script on Bolton’s critique. Vance has suggested that since Bolton’s predictions have a knack for being wrong, Patel’s appointment might actually be a stroke of genius. In a bold twist of logic, it seems that the less Bolton approves of something, the more it stands to reason that it’s the right move. Perhaps there’s something to be said for unconventional wisdom in an era filled with predictable swamp dwellers.
https://twitter.com/TomSouther1/status/1864191270123397470
Trump, ever the on-brand leader, issued an announcement touting Kash Patel as an “America First” fighter, reaffirming that Patel is more than just a lawyer or investigator—he’s a warrior for the truth. While Bolton reaches back into the annals of history to summon comparisons to Soviet tyrants, Trump is straightforward, portraying Patel as a critical counterforce to the corruption that plagues D.C. The president-elect ticked off Patel’s sterling credentials, making it clear he considers him not just qualified but essential for restoring integrity to the FBI.
Patel is poised to tackle the crime epidemic and dismantle migrant criminal gangs—an ambitious agenda if there ever was one. Trump said Patel will bring back “Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity” to the FBI, an institution that could certainly use a dose of heroism. In stark contrast to Bolton’s fearful caricature of Patel, it appears that Trump is doubling down on a future with a leader who isn’t afraid to tackle challenges head-on, proving yet again that sometimes, political fights echo outside the realm of reason. Fingers crossed for Patel; it looks like he’ll need a good solid fan club—one that doesn’t include Bolton’s dubious backing.
