Former FBI and CIA director William Webster has come out against President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, Kash Patel. Webster’s criticism, couched in concerns over politicization, has raised eyebrows among those who view him as a symbol of Washington’s entrenched bureaucracy.
William Webster Crawls Out of Retirement to Save the Swamp
Who does William Webster think he is? This washed-up relic of the D.C. swamp—who hasn’t been relevant since fax machines were cutting-edge—is now telling senators to reject Kash Patel as FBI Director and Tulsi Gabbard as… pic.twitter.com/gazvDlDfYF
— Joe Portman (@RealJoePortman) December 28, 2024
One of the Deep Staters who seems very worried that the FBI will be forced onto the straight and narrow is William Webster, one of the deepest of the Deep Staters. #kashpatelfbidirector https://t.co/2nPndnC35c
— St. John (pronounced Sinjun) O’Callaghan (@st_sinjun) December 27, 2024
Webster’s tenure as FBI director under President Jimmy Carter and later as CIA director under President George H.W. Bush placed him at the helm of key intelligence agencies during critical moments in U.S. history. However, critics argue that his long career in the intelligence community aligns him with the so-called “Deep State” and its resistance to outsider reformers like Patel.
William Webster is 100 years old. God bless him, but the agencies he was part of are no longer what they were. They need significant change. Patel and Gabbard can lead such an effort. They need to be approved.
— AnytaAynn (@SconnieinTexas) December 29, 2024
Patel has been a vocal critic of the FBI’s past leadership, accusing figures like Christopher Wray, Andrew McCabe and James Comey of fostering a culture of political bias within the agency. His supporters argue that Webster’s opposition only underscores the need for a change in leadership.
Former FBI and CIA chief urges senators to sink Patel, Gabbard https://t.co/xDnj4fe86X #FoxNews
Tulsi and Kash's backgrounds and experience far exceed what William Webster had when he was selected to run the FBI & CIA. Given his comments, he never should have been picked for…— 31Kelleher (@31Kelleher) December 29, 2024
William Webster: The Swamp's Very Own Crypt Keeper Has Thoughts
William Webster, 100 years old and apparently still clinging to swamp talking points, just crawled out of retirement (or the crypt?) to attack Trump’s picks for Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard. The man’s been around so… pic.twitter.com/3XmZPuQcVi
— Joe Portman (@RealJoePortman) December 29, 2024
Webster has expressed concern over Patel’s close ties to Trump, suggesting they could compromise the FBI’s independence. However, to Patel’s defenders, this critique reflects the intelligence community’s aversion to anyone challenging its entrenched power.
Better to reject William Webster.
— Den Gormley (@GormleyDen) December 30, 2024
Patel has vowed to overhaul the FBI and restore its reputation by removing what he has called “deep state” operatives. For those calling for accountability within the intelligence community, Webster’s resistance to Patel’s nomination is seen as a validation of his potential effectiveness.
Patel’s record of challenging institutional norms makes him a polarizing figure, but one whose nomination could signal significant changes ahead for the FBI.
