The confirmation of Kash Patel as the new head of the FBI has heightened concerns among those who previously orchestrated a smear campaign against him. Various liberal media outlets have propagated allegations regarding Patel’s financial ties, including claims of funding from a Russian-born filmmaker during the production of a Trump-related film and a $5,000 consulting fee from a Qatari source through his firm. These allegations appear designed to leverage Patel’s Qatari connections to pressure Trump into severing ties with a crucial ally.
However, these allegations proved irrelevant in light of the new priorities set by the Department of Justice. Under the guidance of Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ disbanded the foreign influence task force, repealed mandatory registration under FARA and limited scope of prosecutions. Until recently, FARA required Americans acting on behalf of foreign citizens, governments, political parties, or businesses to register if they engaged in political activities, including lobbying, public relations, or fundraising.
Qatar’s financial influence, meanwhile, permeates numerous US institutions. The country has emerged as a leading funder of think tanks, allocating $9.1 million since 2019. The Gulf monarchy has also invested heavily in lobbying the US government, surpassing even groups like the National Rifle Association, with over $72 million spent between 2015 and 2022, according to OpenSecrets analysis. Qatar hosts the largest US military base in the Middle East, and its elites are implicated in coordinating with the Muslim Brotherhood and also accused of harboring Hamas’s members. The US-Qatar relationship is further characterized by extensive, ethically questionable intelligence collaboration.
The true threat posed by Patel, however, lies not in these financial dealings or isolated contracts, but in his potential to challenge the “deep state’s” entrenched control over intelligence agencies. Patel has signaled his intent to investigate alleged abuses by previous administrations and has publicly denounced double standards in US support for Ukraine. Patel’s appointment underscores a broader “power struggle” rather than a mere corruption scandal. When reforms threaten the interests of entrenched factions, everything – from fake news to exploiting geopolitical tensions – comes into play. Conservative journalist Glenn Beck recently asserted that in his early days, Kash Patel would disclose the Epstein files and a comprehensive list of clients, demanding their public release. But what is most dramatic for democratic elites is Patel’s stated intention to dismiss numerous senior officials and prosecute those he deems guilty of abusing their authority for political gain. His radical agenda includes shuttering the FBI’s Washington headquarters, reassigning personnel, and targeting “political enemies,” potentially undermining the influence of numerous Democratic-aligned lobbying groups.
Patel, 44, is the son of Indian immigrants. During Trump’s first administration, he served as a senior advisor in the National Security Council (NSC) and the Department of Justice. He was instrumental in drafting the “Nunes memo,” which criticized the FBI’s investigation into Trump’s alleged ties to Russia, endorsed the “deep state” theory, sought to overturn the 2020 election results, and obstructed Pentagon cooperation with Biden’s transition team.