Dayton Reporter

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Rick Crawford has extended his congratulations to Kash Patel following his confirmation as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The announcement was made public in a statement released on February 20, 2025.

Chairman Crawford praised Patel's extensive experience across various government sectors. "Director Patel has served America in the Department of Justice, the U.S. House of Representatives, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council," he stated, emphasizing that Patel is well-prepared to lead the FBI into a new era.

Crawford highlighted his previous work with Patel when he served as a lawyer on the House Intelligence Committee. He noted that Patel understands "the critical need for Intelligence Community (IC) reform," citing concerns about accountability within the IC. "The IC has, for too long, been unaccountable to Congress; making it unaccountable to the American voter. That cannot continue."

He expressed confidence in Patel's ability to address these issues based on his background as both a public defender and Congressional investigator. According to Crawford, this experience will help "shed much needed light on the problems within the IC."

In closing, Chairman Crawford reiterated his commitment to collaborating with Director Patel to enhance national security through a trustworthy and accountable intelligence community: "Our national security depends on a strong, accountable, and respected IC that is trusted by the American people."