Watchdog Sues For Records On Kash Patel Ahead Of FBI Nomination Hearing

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. – American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog group, has filed a lawsuit and a motion for a preliminary injunction to compel the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to release records related to Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for FBI director.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, seeks Patel’s emails with current and former members of Congress, records of his official travel, and communications about controversial topics, including Trump’s baseless claims of wiretapping by the Obama administration and the Ukraine aid freeze investigation.

“The government has sat on our FOIA requests for four years already, and it’s long past time for them to provide these records to the public,” said Ben Sparks, Senior Counsel at American Oversight. “Prompt release is essential for transparency, accountability, and public trust. Any additional delay will deprive the public of critical information about Patel’s conduct at ODNI before the Senate considers his nomination to lead the FBI.”

Background on FOIA Requests

American Oversight first submitted its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in August 2020 and expedited the request in December after Trump announced Patel’s nomination. The group is urging the court to mandate the release of the documents by January 17, ahead of the Senate’s review of Patel’s nomination.

Concerns Over Patel’s Nomination

Patel, a staunch Trump ally, has faced scrutiny for promoting conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and the “deep state.” He has publicly vowed to target perceived critics, stating his intent to “find the conspirators” within the government and media who he claims assisted in rigging the election. “We’re going to come after you,” Patel has said, adding that legal or criminal actions would follow.

Critics argue that Patel’s potential leadership of the FBI could compromise the agency’s independence. “Patel’s nomination is powerful evidence that President-elect Trump values personal loyalty over qualifications and a commitment to the rule of law,” said Chioma Chukwu, interim Executive Director of American Oversight. “Any official who publishes a list of ‘enemies’ has no business heading the principal investigative arm of the Department of Justice.”

Call for Transparency

American Oversight contends that releasing the records is crucial for public trust and informed Senate deliberations. “Before the Senate considers Patel’s nomination, the American people deserve the full picture of his actions during the first Trump administration,” Chukwu emphasized in  a statement.

The federal court has yet to schedule a briefing or arguments for the case.