Tangle Podcast Summary: "Kash Patel’s Nomination" Hosted by Isaac Saul | Released on December 4, 2024
Introduction
In this episode of Tangle, host Isaac Saul delves into the contentious nomination of Kash Patel for the role of Director of the FBI. This nomination has stirred significant debate across the political landscape, prompting discussions about the qualifications, potential biases, and implications for the FBI's future.
Overview of Kash Patel’s Nomination
Isaac Saul begins by outlining the unusual nature of President Elect Donald Trump's decision to nominate Kash Patel as the new FBI Director. Typically, FBI Directors are insulated from direct political influence and are not replaced mid-term unless under exceptional circumstances. Patel's nomination raises questions due to his non-traditional background and his prior roles within the Trump administration.
Key Points:
- Nomination Announcement: President Elect Trump announced Patel’s nomination on a Saturday prior to the episode's release.
- Background: Patel is a former federal prosecutor with experience as both a public defender and within the National Security Division of the Justice Department.
- Connection to Trump: Patel served as an aide to former Representative Devin Nunes and authored a report critical of the FBI's investigation into Trump's campaign ties to Russia.
- Publications and Positions: After Trump's first term, Patel authored pro-Trump children's books and joined the board of Trump Media Technology Group.
Notable Quote:
"Patel held several positions towards the end of Trump's first term, including chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller in November 2020, and was reportedly considered for deputy director of the FBI or Central Intelligence Agency." [07:18]
Reactions from the Left
The left has predominantly opposed Patel’s nomination, viewing it as a maneuver for political retribution and a potential threat to the FBI’s impartiality.
Key Criticisms:
- Unqualified Choice: Critics argue that Patel lacks the necessary experience to lead the FBI effectively.
- Tool for Retribution: There's concern that Patel could be used to target political enemies, including journalists and elected officials critical of Trump.
- Threat to FBI’s Integrity: His proposed reforms are seen as attempts to undermine the FBI's intelligence capabilities and independence.
Notable Quotes:
“President elect Donald Trump's choice of uber loyalist Kash Patel to be FBI director is a hair on fire moment.” – Ruth Marcus, Washington Post [11:16]
“Patel’s bad ideas don’t end there. The former public defender and prosecutor also wants to strip the FBI of its intelligence mission, perhaps as payback for the investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 election.” – Barbara L. McQuaid, Bloomberg [11:16]
“Patel is a bomb thrower, he would be entering into a legal structure that already has immense power and only voluntary compunction not to wield it against reporters.” – John Allsopp, Columbia Journalism Review [11:16]
Reactions from the Right
The right's response to Patel’s nomination is mixed, with some Republicans expressing cautious support while others emphasize the need for a thorough vetting process.
Key Perspectives:
- Support for Reform: Some believe Patel’s appointment is necessary to bring much-needed changes to the FBI.
- Fair Hearing Advocated: There are calls for Patel to earn his confirmation through rigorous scrutiny to ensure he seeks reform, not retribution.
- Concerns Over Political Gamesmanship: Emphasis on distinguishing between genuine reform efforts and personal vendettas against political adversaries.
Notable Quotes:
“If Patel can show senators he is interested in reform, not retribution, and if he is confirmed, he should determinedly keep his promise.” – Washington Examiner Editorial Board [11:16]
“What Patel can bring to the FBI is fairness, honesty, the actual blindfold that lady justice is supposed to wear.” – David Marcus, Fox News [11:16]
“Donald Trump is a disruptor. So Democrats whining about Cash Patel not having previously worked in the FBI does not matter.” – Derek Hunter, Town Hall [11:16]
Isaac Saul’s Take
Isaac Saul introduces the concept of the "Trump Circularity," describing it as a cycle where Trump's actions set new political norms that benefit his agenda. He argues that Patel’s nomination is a direct result of Trump’s previous confrontations with the FBI, particularly regarding the raid on Mar-a-Lago.
Key Points:
- Trump Circularity Defined: A phenomenon where Trump’s norm-breaking actions redefine political expectations to his advantage.
- Impact of Mar-a-Lago Raid: The FBI’s raid on Trump’s residence over classified documents led to increased animosity and set the stage for Patel’s nomination.
- Concerns Over Institutional Capture: Saul fears that Patel’s leadership could lead to the FBI being used as a tool for political vendettas rather than impartial law enforcement.
Notable Quotes:
“The Trump circularity is the phenomenon of Trump doing some norm breaking thing that puts all of our political footing onto new ground that he then gets to define to his own political advantage.” [19:43]
“Patel is really just obsessing over a few dozen people who are over the hill and busying themselves writing doorstep memoirs titled 'A Sacred My Life of Service and Sacrifice.'” [19:43]
“We don't need Cash Patel only because we are living in the Trump circularity as someone like him even sniffing the levers of power. And we're all worse off for it.” [19:43]
Listener Questions
An anonymous listener inquires about Tangle's influence on mainstream media decision-makers and whether thoughtful analysis from the podcast could lead to higher editorial standards.
Isaac’s Response: Isaac acknowledges the compliment and expresses gratitude for the support from listeners. He notes that while Tangle is growing, traditional media outlets like The New York Times and Fox News have significantly larger audiences. He remains skeptical about mainstream media adopting Tangle's approaches but remains hopeful for future influence.
Notable Quotes:
“There's no way for me to know how much we influence any major outlet's coverage, and just from a business perspective, I'm not sure they'd want to take cues from us anyway.” [27:06]
“I truly do believe in what we're doing at Tangle, and my biggest hope is that all the work we've done so far is just the beginning.” [27:06]
Under the Radar Stories
Beyond the main topic, Isaac covers several additional stories, including:
-
UNRWA Suspends Aid to Gaza:
- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees has halted aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing due to attacks on aid trucks. Israel claims minimal impact, but Gazans face severe shortages.
-
Historical FBI Facts:
- The FBI was formally created in 1908.
- Public Law 94503 in 1976 limits FBI directors to a single 10-year term.
- Since 1976, there have been 20 directors, with only two being dismissed before completing their terms.
-
Dementia and Music Therapy:
- In Australia, Dr. Helen English has formed a choir to help those living with dementia, leveraging music as a powerful memory trigger.
Notable Quote:
“The New York Times has this story and there's a link in today's episode Description.” – Isaac Saul [29:51]
Numbers Section
Isaac provides a fact-based segment highlighting key statistics related to the FBI:
- Creation Year: 1908
- Term Limitation: 10 years per director as per the 1976 Public Law.
- Total Directors: 20, including acting directors.
- Dismissals Since 1976: 2 directors have been fired before their term ended.
- Favorable Rating: The FBI holds a +18% net favorability among Americans, with Republicans at -13% and Democrats at +49% according to an August 2024 Pew Research survey.
Conclusion
Isaac Saul wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support Tangle through memberships and providing final thoughts on the discussed topics. He emphasizes the importance of unbiased, thorough journalism in navigating the complex political landscape surrounding nominations like that of Kash Patel.
Notable Quote:
“Well, until then, I'm skeptical that they would all right, that is it for your questions answered.” – Isaac Saul [27:06]
Final Thoughts
The nomination of Kash Patel as FBI Director is emblematic of the broader political tensions and challenges facing American law enforcement institutions. Tangle provides a platform for dissecting these developments from multiple perspectives, fostering a nuanced understanding for its listeners.
For more detailed discussions and updates, visit readtangle.com and subscribe to the Tangle podcast for future episodes.