The US Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Kash Patel as the new FBI director in a narrow 51-49 vote, despite opposition concerns over his qualifications and temperament.
“I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Patel wrote on X. “Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for your unwavering confidence and support.”
I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for your unwavering confidence and support.
The FBI has a storied legacy—from the “G-Men” to safeguarding our nation in the wake of…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 20, 2025
“My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops—and rebuild trust in the FBI,” he continued. “Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Bureau and our partners, we will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of. And to those who seek to harm Americans—consider this your warning. We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”
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Patel’s confirmation is controversial due to his history of promoting conspiracy theories and criticizing the FBI, as well as his ties to Trump’s agenda, including plans to fire agents involved in the January 6 investigations.
Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski were the only Republicans to join Democrats in opposing his confirmation, citing concerns about Patel’s political alignment and impact on the FBI’s apolitical stance.
Democrats warned that Patel’s leadership could lead to a politicization of the agency, with Illinois Senator Dick Durbin labeling him a potential “national security disaster,” and other detractors specualted about potential retaliations against FBI whistleblowers and media members. However, supporters, including Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, argue that Patel’s experience makes him well-suited to address issues like violent crime.
Patel’s appointment follows a series of contentious Trump nominations, with his supporters arguing he will hold the FBI accountable for perceived biases against conservatives.
Patel replaces Christopher Wray, with Trump aiming to reshape the FBI in favor of his policies.
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