New York (AP) - Kash Patel, a former ally of Donald Trump who worked in his Justice Department, has sparked controversy with his recent comments regarding the media. Patel stated that if Trump is elected again in 2024, his administration would take actions against individuals in the media "criminally or civilly."

During an interview on Steve Bannon's podcast, Patel, who also served as the chief of staff in the Defense Department and held a role on the National Security Council, emphasized that a second Trump administration would actively seek out what he referred to as "conspirators" not only within the government but also within the media. Patel specifically alluded to the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden, as the focal point for the alleged misconduct.

The claims of election fraud made by Trump and his allies have been widely dismissed. Despite an absence of evidence supporting the allegations, Trump has promised "retribution" as a central theme of his campaign message as he vies for another term in the White House.

Trump's campaign distanced itself from Patel's remarks, asserting that his statements had no connection to their agenda. However, the campaign declined to respond to inquiries regarding whether Trump is considering the plans described by Patel.

In a subsequent Fox News Channel interview, Trump refrained from explicitly stating that he would not abuse power to seek retribution in a hypothetical second term. When asked about abuse of power, Trump countered by alleging that the current Biden administration was guilty of such actions.

Notably, Patel is associated with the Center for Renewing America, a conservative think tank that is part of a network of conservative groups anticipating a possible second term for Trump or any likeminded conservative candidate.

During his conversation with Bannon, Patel made it clear that those in the media who allegedly spread falsehoods about American citizens aiding Biden in rigging elections would face consequences. He stated, "We're going to come after you, whether it's criminally or civilly. We'll figure that out. But yeah, we're putting you all on notice."

Trump's antagonistic stance towards the media has been a consistent theme throughout his presidency. He has regularly labeled news organizations as "Fake News" and dubbed them the "Enemy of the People," using phrasing reminiscent of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin.

Back in September, on his Truth Social network, Trump reiterated these rhetoric and pledged to investigate NBC News and MSNBC for "Country Threatening Treason," attempting to curtail their access to the airwaves.

The interview with Bannon also raised the possibility of Patel being appointed as the director of the CIA if Trump secures another term in office. However, the Trump campaign has yet to address whether Patel is being considered for such a role.

Patel's close ties to Trump are evident, as he was a guest at the former president's 2024 campaign kickoff event held at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last year. Additionally, in June, Patel was present at Trump's speech at his Bedminster resort following the former president's court appearance on federal charges related to mishandling classified documents.