Concerns are mounting regarding Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for the FBI director position, Kash Patel. A graduate of Pace University School of Law, Patel has been vocal in promoting “Deep State” conspiracy theories, leading to speculation about his intentions and capabilities. Despite his denial, there are rumors of an alleged enemies list that includes what he refers to as “corrupt actors” from the so-called “deep state.” His proposals for significant changes within the FBI have drawn sharp criticism from House Democrats, who warn that such moves could endanger national security by placing a partisan Trump loyalist at the helm, particularly amid rising threats from adversaries like Russia and China.
In an unsettling twist, Patel produced a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” featuring the J6 Prison Choir, highlighting his connection to controversial figures and causes. He has openly threatened to target members of the media, stating, “We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. We’re going to come after you, whether it’s criminally or civilly. We’ll figure that out. But yeah, we’re putting you all on notice.” Such statements raise eyebrows about his approach to freedom of the press and accountability.
In addition to his political activities, Patel’s eccentricities extend to the realm of children’s literature, particularly through the Plot Against the King series published by the Christian imprint Brave Books. As reported by Rebecca Onion at Slate, each book in this series presents a fantastical retelling of real-world events. The first book fictionalizes the Russiagate scandal and the Steele dossier, while the second delves into the controversies surrounding the 2020 election. The third installment portrays the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump, creating an amusing and whimsical narrative.
Each story features a wizard named Kash, who embodies wisdom and discernment, as he battles the foes of “Merchant Donald,” who ascends to the throne as “King Donald” after being elected by the kingdom’s residents on “Choosing Day.” The narratives often feel as if they are constructed by feeding the tumultuous storylines of the Trump administration into an AI programmed with MAGA social media posts, tasked with transforming them into an amusing medieval tale.
Notable characters such as Democrat Adam Schiff appear in these stories, depicted first as the “shifty knight,” then as a “shifty jester,” and finally simply as “Shifty.” The media is portrayed as “heralds” who bear animosity towards King Donald, readily accepting any falsehoods propagated by Shifty. Other characters include “Hillary Queenton,” “Baron Von Biden,” “Comma-la-la-la” for Kamala Harris, and “Mischievous Metamark,” representing Mark Zuckerberg, who is included due to the narrative surrounding alleged election fraud in 2020. The Department of Justice is creatively reimagined as a “Dragon of Jalapeños,” illustrating a whimsical, yet critical, perspective on political narratives.
Ultimately, one might find a strange sense of transparency in Patel’s candidness regarding Donald Trump’s aspirations to reign supreme — a sentiment that seemingly disregards the implications of the 22nd Amendment and its limitations on presidential terms.
Kathryn Rubino serves as a Senior Editor at Above the Law, is the host of The Jabot podcast, and co-hosts Thinking Like A Lawyer. She values insights from AtL tipsters, so don’t hesitate to reach out to her. Connect via email for tips, questions, or comments, and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or on Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
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