Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s FBI director nominee, has been advocating for weakening influential career bureaucrats in Washington for years, labeling them as part of the “deep state” and politically driven federal investigators as “gangsters.”
If confirmed, he could lead these reforms.
Nicole Parker, a former FBI special agent with over 12 years of experience, has suggestions on where to start.
“There was a clear gap between field agents and leadership in Washington, D.C.,” she shared with Fox News Digital. “These observations shape my belief that the FBI currently lacks effective leadership, and the agency’s future depends on how the next director addresses its issues.”
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President Donald Trump has nominated his long-time ally Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a noted FBI critic, to take over as the agency’s director in the new administration. (Reuters/File)
In a 2023 book, Patel outlined his criticisms of alleged corruption in “the permanent government bureaucracy.” Parker, while stating she has no personal connection with Patel, mentioned that the next director’s key task would be to restore the FBI’s public credibility after facing accusations of politically motivated investigations targeting conservatives, including Trump.
She highlighted five areas where she believes a new director can make a difference from day one.
“From day one, the next FBI director should kickstart a plan to restore integrity within the agency,” she emphasized to Fox News Digital.
1. Leadership shakeup
“The foremost and critical move is to appoint strong executives across the FBI,” she noted.Â
The emphasis should be on leaders known for their integrity.
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One on Jan. 24, 2025, at Joint Base Andrews, Md., for a trip to North Carolina and California. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The focus should be on strict adherence to the Constitution over personal biases and agendas, as well as promoting diversity, she added.
2. Revamp internal culture
The FBI should prioritize the needs of victims, according to Parker.
“The bureaucratic headquarters in Washington, D.C., should be streamlined, transferring the power to select and investigate cases back to the field,” she suggested. “The FBI’s culture also needs to shift towards solely serving the American people and safeguarding them at all costs, with no tolerance for external distractions.”
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3. Enforce accountability and consequences
Parker stressed that “inappropriate actions” and subpar job performance should face real consequences.
Despite accusations of biased investigations, she pointed out dedicated agents within the bureau who deserve support for upholding their Constitutional oaths.
“Those failing to honor their oaths should be held responsible,” she added.
Former FBI Special Agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker says the next FBI director will be tasked with improving the bureau’s public image. (Fox News Digital)
In a column for Fox News Digital in 2022, Patel proposed establishing a committee to hold the FBI and Justice Department accountable for alleged abuses of power against conservatives.
“The transformation of the FBI into a partisan weapon to attack the Democrats’ opponents and shield their allies is a danger that threatens our nation and requires immediate attention from Congress,” he articulated. “They have established a justice system with two tiers; we must dismantle it.”
4. Elevate hiring standards
To boost the FBI’s public image, Parker suggested that recruitment and promotions should reach a record high in FBI history.
In his book, Patel urged for increased congressional oversight and the dismissal of “corrupt figures” within the FBI.
“The reality is, we need a federal agency to investigate federal crimes, and that agency will always be at risk of its powers being misused,” he penned.
Kash Patel, President Trump’s FBI director nominee, arrives for a meeting with Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst in the Russell Senate Office Building on Dec. 9, 2024. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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5. Trim unnecessary expenditures
In its fiscal 2025 budget request, the FBI sought over $11.3 billion.
The bureau boasts more than 37,000 staff members, with around 13,600 of them being agents.
Parker had an additional suggestion that may take some time for a new director to implement: visiting FBI field offices nationwide.
Patel, in his book, took this further by advocating for FBI leadership to move beyond Washington, D.C.
“Keeping the FBI in its colossal Washington HQ locale only leads to institutional capture, prompting senior FBI leadership to deviate from their mission and engage in political maneuvering, seeking favor from politicians and currying relationships with the media to advance their careers,” he argued.
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“Comprehend the rank-and-file’s unique necessities and anxieties better,” Parker recommended. “Ensure that the authority currently concentrated at FBI headquarters isn’t completely vested in the field, reassign the bloated bureaucracy at headquarters, and redeploy agents and staff to the field for investigative work.”
Similar to his predecessors, Patel boasts a legal background but lacks a history as a former agent. Nevertheless, he spearheaded a congressional investigation into allegations of FISA abuse by the FBI during the 2016 Russian interference probe.
Upon announcing Patel’s nomination shortly after securing a second term, Trump described his pick as a skilled investigator and reformer. While critics question Patel’s experience and proximity to the president, supporters view him as a reformist who will enhance the bureau.
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