Duval Times

I have noticed a shocking trend in my conversations with families in my state and across the nation. For the past year, at almost every event I attended and when running into folks at restaurants, outside my offices and around the state, I asked a simple question, “Do you trust that the FBI and the federal government are doing the right thing, acting in your best interests, and giving you useful information?”

Nearly every person said “NO!” I would bet I asked this question to more than 1,000 people over the past year—Republicans, Democrats, independents—and overwhelmingly they said they don’t trust the FBI and our federal government.

It’s clear that the American people expect major change in Washington. That’s why they elected President Donald Trump in November and why we must quickly confirm Kash Patel to be FBI director to restore trust in such a critical arm of our government.

After four years of President Joe Biden’s failed administration and weaponization of government, Americans’ perception of the FBI is at its worst in a century. Accountability within the FBI has given way to a bureaucratic black hole of information. Even as a United States senator, I can’t seem to get simple answers from them.

It’s obvious the FBI’s focus on law enforcement has been clouded by political influence and partisanship, prioritizing Biden’s personal agenda over the agency’s true mission. Americans have seen the FBI conduct unlawful surveillance of a U.S. citizen affiliated with Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, open domestic terrorism probes against concerned parents appearing at school board meetings, and target devout Catholics as violent extremists based upon the mere exercise of their faith.

Then last summer, within a period of weeks, a dangerous individual attempted to take the life of Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another would-be assassin attempted to take his life on his own golf course in my home state of Florida.

Neither of those should have happened—and the American people had a lot of questions on exactly how there was such a massive failure from the agencies tasked with keeping him safe. They were looking to the FBI for answers and honesty, and the FBI didn’t deliver.

Now, the FBI is facing a public trust crisis. Let me be clear: This has absolutely nothing to do with actual agents in the FBI. There are incredible hardworking agents who want to make our nation better. This is a leadership problem. Trust will rebuild with the right leader; Patel is that person.

Patel has track record and experience needed for reforming transparency accountability refocusing agency's mission restoring public's trust respected leader qualified nominee recipient Department Justice award work investigating prosecuting terrorists responsible 2010 World Cup bombings co-author Nunes Memo exposed unlawful surveillance career public service law earned endorsements National Police Association National Sheriffs’ Association

Patel brings mix traditional criminal justice experience outside perspective enables see clearly where how strayed mission get agency back track

While qualifications alone show great director also took time sit down following nomination discuss bring transparency integrity accountability always working behalf citizens instead attacking them

My takeaway was this: Patel is an agent for change justice—he has my trust lead earn trust American people

Together Trump future Attorney General Pam Bondi Justice Department take steps refocus top law enforcement agency keep country safe

Patel full support lead doing everything fight against obstruction make sure quickly confirmed