Washington, November: Following Donald J. Trump's victory in securing a second term as President in the recent election, several key figures from his previous administration are being considered for important positions. One such individual is Kashyap “Kash” Patel, a longtime loyalist and former National Security Council (NSC) staffer. Patel, who previously served as Chief of Staff to Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, has been suggested for various high-level roles, including CIA Director or Attorney General. If he does not pass Senate confirmation, he could potentially take a prominent role on the National Security Council, as reported by the New York Times.

At 44, Patel, who once worked as a Department of Justice (DoJ) prosecutor, became a significant national security advisor during Trump’s first term, quickly rising to become a prominent figure at the Pentagon. Known for his unwavering loyalty to Trump and vocal opposition to intelligence agencies, Patel’s career has stirred both controversy and divided opinions.

In a 2022 interview with IANS, Patel expressed frustration over the lack of support he perceives from the Indian American community. He feels "vilified" by those who disagree with his involvement in the Trump administration and have criticized his close ties with the former president. "I think it’s the height of hypocrisy that they won’t support people who are first-generation Indian Americans," Patel said. He added that he remains dedicated to helping Indian Americans progress in government and national security roles.

Born to Gujarati parents who migrated from East Africa, Patel gained recognition within the Trump administration by leading vital investigations and overseeing intelligence operations, including counterterrorism efforts. His swift rise to prominence in Washington has made him a central figure in a small but vocal group of Indian American Republicans.

Patel accompanied Trump on a visit to Ahmedabad in February 2020. Reflecting on the experience, Patel said, "It was extremely humbling for the President to invite me. At the time, I was the highest-ranking Indian American official at the White House, to invite me to see Prime Minister Modi in Gujarat, in my hometown, and have my parents there on my birthday..." He described the event as a "moment of a lifetime," recalling his emotions as he hugged his parents, met the Prime Minister, and entered the stadium. It was a surreal experience for him.

Patel’s name recently came up in the Department of Justice’s investigation into the mishandling of classified documents associated with Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. An affidavit revealed that Patel had publicly defended Trump’s handling of the documents, claiming they had been declassified. Patel has since argued that he was unjustly implicated in the affidavit, suggesting that the attention on him is part of a broader pattern of "racism against Republican minorities."