"While Mr. Patel's intelligence and patriotism are commendable, his close political alignment with President Trump raises serious concerns about impartiality and integrity.

Statements such as He's my intel guy' and his record of executing the president's directives suggest a loyalty to individuals rather than the rule of law"a dangerous precedent for an agency tasked with impartial enforcement of justice," Webster wrote."

;

"Gabbard, meanwhile, has come under fire for parroting Russian narratives about the country's invasion of Ukraine and also visited now-deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as he was facing accusations of using chemical weapons against his own people.

"Congresswoman Gabbard's profound lack of intelligence experience and the daunting task of overseeing 18 disparate intelligence agencies further highlight the need for seasoned leadership," Webster wrote."