U.S. Senator from Maine Susan Collins (R) this week met with Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in his upcoming second administration, discussing topics including organized crime, illegal drugs and human trafficking going on in Maine and across the U.S.
Kash Patel, who Trump nominated in November to succeed outgoing FBI Director Christopher Wray, is a former federal prosecutor and worked as a top level advisor to the secretary of defense and director of national intelligence during the first Trump administration.
On Thursday, Patel posted a picture to X with Sen. Collins announcing that he had met with the Maine Republican.
“I enjoyed meeting with Senator Collins today,” Patel wrote. “She cares deeply about cracking down on organized crime, illegal drugs, and human trafficking in Maine and across the country.”
“I appreciate her diligent work in the advice and consent process,” Patel added.
Maine’s senior senator has been vocal on the need for federal law enforcement to investigate organized crime in the state, particularly Chinese transnational criminal organizations that are operating a network of illegal marijuana grows in Maine.
[RELTED: Collins Grills FBI Chief Wray Over Chinese Mafia Drug Trafficking in Maine…]
Collins pressed FBI Director Wray on the issue of Chinese organized crime and drug trafficking in Maine during a Senate hearing this summer.
WATCH:
READ MORE OF THE MAINE WIRE’S “TRIAD WEED” INVESTIGATE SERIES HERE.
Collins is expected to play an important role in the upcoming confirmation process for Patel and for Trump’s other Cabinet appointments, especially his picks that have already generated considerable controversy.
She was one of four likely “no” votes to Trump’s initial choice for Attorney General, Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz — who eventually withdrew himself from consideration for the post, saying that his nomination had become a distraction for the Trump transition team.
Collins has also recently privately met with Pete Hegseth, the former Fox News commentator and Army National Guard officer who is Trump’s choice for secretary of defense.
Hegseth has been the target of negative media reports due to allegations of sexual assault and alcohol abuse — allegations which he denies.
“I pressed him on both his position on military issues as well as the allegations against him,” Collins told reporters after meeting privately with Hegseth earlier this month.
“I don’t think there was anything that we did not cover,” she added.
