Reagan FBI director urges caution against Gabbard, Patel

The only man to lead both the FBI and the CIA urged caution to senators who might vote to confirm former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence and Kash Patel to lead the FBI, according to a letter sent to senators this week.

"I am deeply concerned about the potential nominations of Mr. Kash Patel to lead the FBI and the inclusion of Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as DNI in intelligence roles," William Webster, who led the FBI during the Carter and Reagan administrations and the CIA after that, said in a letter to senators on Thursday.

Webster wrote that Patel's loyalty to Trump may cause problems.

"Statements such as 'He’s my intel guy' and his record of executing the president’s directives suggest a loyalty to individuals rather than the rule of law -- a dangerous precedent for an agency tasked with impartial enforcement of justice," said Webster, who turns 101 in March.

He said that during his tenure at the FBI, he was contacted by the president only twice -- once by President Jimmy Carter, who asked him to investigate an issue, and once when President Ronald Reagan had a question about Nancy Reagan's security.

Webster added that Gabbard's "profound lack of intelligence experience and the daunting task of overseeing 18 disparate intelligence agencies further highlight the need for seasoned leadership."

"History has shown us the dangers of compromising this independence. When leaders of these organizations become too closely aligned with political figures, public confidence erodes and our nation’s security is jeopardized," he wrote. "Every president deserves appointees they trust, but the selection process must prioritize competence and independence to uphold the rule of law."

The letter was first reported by Politico.

Webster did endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president in 2024 and Joe Biden for president in 2020.

The Trump transition team defended both Patel and Gabbard to Fox News.

"Kash Patel is loyal to the Constitution. He’s worked under Presidents Obama and Trump in key national security roles," said Alex Pfeiffer, a Trump transition team spokesman.

Alexa Henning, a Trump transition official, also defended Gabbard.

"Lt. Col. Gabbard is an active member of the Army and has served in the military for over two decades and in Congress. As someone who has consumed intelligence at the highest levels, including during wartime, she recognizes the importance of partnerships with allies to ensure close coordination to keep the American people safe," she told Fox News.