Indian-origin Kashyap 'Kash' Patel in line to become CIA chief under new Trump administration: Report

With Donald Trump all set to return as President of the United States (POTUS), there's going to be a lot of talk about this staff in the coming days. One of the names which is making rounds since Trump was declared winner earlier in the day (Nov 6) is Indian-origin Kashyap 'Kash' Patel.

Patel, who is known as one of staunchest Trump loyalists, is in line to become the next Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief during the upcoming Trump administration.

Also Read:From freeing Jan 6 rioters to mass deportations, here's what Donald Trump promised to do on day 1 after win

Patel had served as one of the top advisers to Trump during the POTUS' previous term from 2016 to 2020. He was on the National Security Council staff from the House Intelligence Committee in 2019 when Trump was under investigation.

Patel, born to a Gujarati family in New York's Garden City in 1980, is a former public defender. His parents had moved to the US in 1970s from Uganda when Idi Amin was the dictator.

He completed his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and wanted to "be a first-generation immigrant lawyer at a white-shoe firm making a ton of money,” as mentioned in his biography.

He further got a law degree from Pace University, as per a report by the Atlantic. He also has a Certificate in International Law from University College London Faculty of Laws in the United Kingdom.

His position, however, requires a confirmation from the US Senate, and that could prove to be a bit challenging, but he's expected to land a position in the National Security Council in the new Trump administration.

In what was touted a one of the closest elections in US history, Trump defeated Democratic candidate and vice president Kamala Harris easily as he breached the 270 mark with wins in swing states.

(With inputs from agencies)