Kash Patel, Donald Trump's Likely Pick For CIA Chief, Said This About Ayodhya's Ram Mandir

Last Updated:November 07, 2024, 19:28 IST

Kash Patel, a fierce Trump loyalist, is reportedly being considered for the CIA Director post after the Republican leader's historic election victory.

Kash Patel rose to prominence as a fierce Trump loyalist due to his role in the investigation in Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. (ANI)

Trump’s victory in one of the fiercest elections in US history has sparked a buzz about his upcoming Cabinet, with Indian-American adviser Kash Patel being considered Trump’s top pick for the role of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Considered the “ultimate Trump loyalist", Kash Patel has held various high-profile positions in national security and defence during Trump’s first administration. Many allies of Trump have advocated for Patel’s appointment as the next CIA director due to his wide-ranging experience.

Kashyap Patel’s confirmation as the CIA Director can only be ratified by the US Senate, where the Republicans secured a majority on Tuesday. If not, Patel can expect a position in the US Security Council. What is more interesting is that Patel’s views on India are in stark contrast with those of the US administration and the so-called ‘legacy media’.

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Who is Kash Patel?

Kashyap Pramod Patel, also known as Kash Patel, was born in New York on February 25, 1980, to Gujarati immigrant parents from East Africa. 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.

In 2017, Patel became a staffer for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, led by Republican Congressman Devin Nunes, a close ally of Trump. 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. Though the memo sparked intense criticism from the US Justice Department, it drew Trump’s attention and solidified Patel’s position as a trusted figure within the Trump administration.

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Kash Patel’s Remarks on Ram Mandir

The historic ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh triggered a wave of jubilation across India as many saw it as Lord Ram’s homecoming after 500 years. However, the US Commission on Religious Freedom (USCIRF) expressed concerns and said it was “troubled" by the inauguration of the Temple.

“It highlights a concerning precedent regarding the security of places of worship in India, many of which remain damaged and destroyed, particularly in the aftermath of violence in Manipur, for example," Stephen Schneck, a member of the USCIRF, told Voice of America in January.

Moreover, the New York Times published an article titled, “Modi Opens a Giant Temple, a Triumph Toward a Hindu-First India." UK-based BBC said the Ram Mandir replaced a “16th-century mosque razed by Hindu mobs in 1992".

Reacting to the “biased" coverage, Patel slammed US media for only covering 50 years of history and spreading a disinformation campaign against India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “They forgot the 500 preceding years. Whether or not you are Hindu or Muslim, there was a Hindu temple there for one of the quintessential gods in the Hindu pantheon in 1500 that was toppled, and they have been trying to get it back for 500 years," he said in an article published in February.

“The Washington establishment forgot that part of history to put on what I believe is a disinformation campaign that’s harmful to India and the PM’s position. They’re using that because I think they liken Trump and Modi as similar figures, and the establishment class in Washington doesn’t want that to be the case," he added.

Last year, Patel courted controversy when he told Trump ally Steve Bannon that he will “come after" politicians and journalists perceived to be enemies of the president-elect.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world Kash Patel, Donald Trump's Likely Pick For CIA Chief, Said This About Ayodhya's Ram Mandir