A group of Republicans who once served in the government are urging lawmakers to reject President Trump's nominee to lead the FBI.
President Trump has nominated Kash Patel to be FBI director. The nomination has provoked a strong rebuke, The Hill reported.
"Confirming Patel would be a grievous mistake that would endanger the FBI's integrity and compromise its critical mission," a letter from the 23 Republicans states, according to The Hill. "The FBI is a cornerstone of our justice system, tasked with defending our nation against threats both foreign and domestic. Its director must be a person with strong ethics, sound judgment, and an unwavering commitment to enforcing the law. Kash Patel has repeatedly demonstrated that he is not this person."
The outlet reported that the 23 signees included former Justice Department officials from prior Republican administrations, as well as some former Republican congressional representatives, including Barbara Comstock of Virginia and Joe Wals of Illinois.
Patel is a former congressional aid and served in the first Trump administration as a national security staffer, CNN reported. In the past, Patel has accused the FBI of being part of the "deep state" and plotting against Trump.
Critics have said that Patel's conduct has included attempting to declassify material that would threaten national security, Forbes reported. In one instance, Patel reportedly told Trump administration officials that the U.S. had clearance to use Nigerian airspace for a hostage rescue mission. No clearance had been given and officials were left scrambling during the mission, Forbes reported.
