William Webster, the only person to have headed both the FBI and CIA, has expressed his concerns about the qualifications of Donald Trump’s nominees for key intelligence positions. He urges the Senate to uphold nonpartisan standards.
Call for Experienced Leadership
A strong worded letter to the Senate came from Webster, 100, who stressed the requirement for “nonpartisan leadership and experience” at the helm of critical agencies. He argued that the nominees, Kash Patel, chosen by Trump to lead the FBI and Tulsi Gabbard, to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), lack the attributes needed to hold these positions.
The safety of the American people and your own families depends on it,” Webster wrote, noting in his letter the necessity for Senate confirmation hearings.
Other Issues Surrounding Kash Patel
Webster, who once headed the FBI under Jimmy Carter and later served Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush as the CIA Director has especially taken concerns about Patel. Webster cited Patel loyalty to Trump as a great factor which could undermine the bureau impartiality and integrity.
Mr. Patel’s intelligence and patriotism are commendable,” Webster wrote. “However, his close alignment with President Trump raises serious concerns about impartiality and the rule of law.”
Patel has publicly said he will prosecute Trump enemies if confirmed. He already plans to convert the headquarters of the FBI into a museum decrying the “deep state.” His book, *Government Gangsters*, lists those he argues have betrayed the agenda of Trump.
Doubts Over Tulsi Gabbard
Webster criticized Gabbard’s nomination as DNI arguing that she lacks the required experience to oversee 18 intelligence agencies. He was also warning that her lesser experience and controversial foreign policy stances would jeopardize national security and international trust.
“Effective management of our intelligence community requires unparalleled expertise,” Webster wrote. “Without it, we risk losing the trust of allied nations and our ability to safeguard sensitive secrets.” Gabbard, a former Democratic presidential candidate turned Republican, has been criticized for her association with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and remarks in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The actions have only served to heighten suspicions of Russian influence.
Webster’s Legacy and Warning
An impartial appointee under Democratic as well as Republican administrations, Webster underlined the imperative of preserving non-partisanship. His letter happens at a time when Senate is to scrutinize the nominations just as intelligence officials have expressed alarm over a potential risk. There is Webster’s call on rejecting Patel and Gabbard that reflects the trends of politicizing intelligence agencies, a trend he sees as a “dangerous precedent.”
