Not open to Trump’s choice, Kash Patel

The senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) was adamant when MSNBC host Jen Psaki he was asked if he reserved judgment on Kash Patelpresident-elect that of Donald Trump chosen to lead the FBI.

Trump made the news with choice of cabinets that caused shock and indignation — including one explosive removal and a Pentagon candidate… Pete Hegseth – battling rape allegations and a devastating situation whistleblower report. But Trump’s nomination of loyalist Kash Patel being director of the FBI triggered new levels of alarm.

Monday edition from MSNBC Inside with Jen PsakiPadilla stopped short of giving Patel a chance to secure his confirmation vote, calling the nomination “equally offensive” compared to Matt Gaetz’s failed bid for AG:

PSAKI: So let me first ask you about Kash Patel.

I just read what Dick Durbin said. You said yesterday that this nomination raises questions that you will raise during his confirmation hearing. So, I guess my question is: what else do you need to know? And do you sort of reserve judgment on whether you’re going to support Kash Patel or not?

PADILLA: Oh no no no!

Trust me, I mean, him being a conspiracy theorist is just the beginning of this process. There’s still time for Donald Trump or his team to come to their senses, like they did with Matt Gaetz, right? This is an equally offensive nomination.

But if they insist on moving forward, then we will insist on background checks. We will insist on a very thorough and firm confirmation hearing. I know I’m going to vote for someone who believes in conspiracy theories, denies the results of the 2020 election, and then says: I’m going to run the FBI by closing FBI headquarters?

Are you kidding me? So that’s just to get started. What should not be lost in this conversation, Jen, is the role and test of Senate Republicans. How will they choose to manage these extremist appointments? Are they going to be faithful to their oath of office, faithful to the Constitution of the United States, or faithful to Donald Trump, and every time he says to kneel, they say how fast?

That’s the question.

PSAKI: Looks like you’re a no. A definite no for Kash Patel, we can put you down.

Do you think we were talking about just that? Do you think there are Republicans on the committee who would join you and other Democrats in demanding FBI background checks in order to make these appointments?

PADILLA: Look, I’d like to think so based on our closed-door conversations, those who want to respect the process.

Someone I’ve seen a lot on the national news lately, Senator Mike Rounds, okay, there’s a lot of things that he and I may disagree on in terms of policy, but the way he approached the process of it all, I think, is a little encouraging. However, he is not part of the committee.

So this will be a test for members of the Judiciary Committee, whether it’s someone appointed to the FBI, whether it’s the attorney general overseeing the Department of Justice or any other position under our jurisdiction.

Watch above via MSNBC Inside with Jen Psaki.