The nominee for F.B.I. director made his nonprofit into a publicity machine, selling his children’s book, his clothing brand and his image as Donald Trump’s ultimate loyalist.

FBI Director nominee Kash Patel will appear for his confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Judiciary Committee, likely rejoining Trump’s White House after Patel was able to leverage his stint in Trump’s first administration and loyalty to the president into a moneymaking personal brand and controversial nonprofit.

On this, Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, falls short. While some senators may disagree about whether Patel has sufficient experience to manage the Bureau’s 38,000 employees, his lack of independence is disqualifying.