Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a prominent Trump supporter and former Republican official, may be selected as deputy CIA director in President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. Often described as a loyalist willing to go above and beyond for Trump, Patel has a well-established background in defense and intelligence, having served in various critical roles during Trump’s previous term.
In the recent U.S. elections, Patel was an active campaign figure for Trump, who now steps in as the 47th U.S. president. Patel’s close association with Trump and his assertive stance against those perceived as political opponents have made him a key figure in Trump’s circle. Notably, Patel drew some criticism from seasoned security professionals who found his approach too extreme.
As a former defense attorney and senior intelligence official, Patel has had a diverse career. He was born in 1980 in Garden City, New York, to parents of Gujarati descent who emigrated from East Africa. Patel’s father left Uganda during Idi Amin’s regime, marking the family’s journey to the U.S. Patel earned his law degree from New York and a Certificate in International Law from University College London. His early legal career included a range of high-profile cases, covering crimes from drug trafficking to financial offenses.
Patel later joined the Department of Justice, working as a prosecutor specializing in counterterrorism. This role involved handling cases across the globe, including regions like East Africa. After joining the Trump administration in 2019, Patel quickly rose to serve as Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and previously as Senior Director for Counterterrorism on the National Security Council. His efforts contributed to key Trump administration goals, including operations targeting ISIS and al-Qaeda leadership and the safe return of U.S. hostages.
Widely recognized as Trump’s devoted advocate, Patel is viewed by many as an ideal candidate for the CIA role, though some anticipate a challenging Senate confirmation process if he is nominated.
