Washington : In an intensely polarized political moment, Kash Patel was confirmed as the new FBI Director by a 51-49 Senate vote with only two Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, breaking ranks to oppose his confirmation. Patel, a Trump loyalist for much of his political career, succeeds Christopher Wray, who stepped down after Trump won re-election.
Patel’s confirmation drew anger from Democrats who have condemned him for his previous promotion of conspiracy theories and for his vocal defense of the rioters of January 6, 2021. His pledge to root out what he called a “deep state” inside the F.B.I. only heightened fears of political retribution during his tenure.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin reacted at a press conference outside FBI headquarters, calling Patel’s appointment “a political and national security disaster,” and warning that he could use the FBI as the means to target Trump’s enemies. Patel, however, insisted that all employees would be treated fairly and without political bias.
Patel, the son of Indian immigrants, had previously served in top positions in Trump’s first administration including senior director for counter- terrorism and chief of staff to the acting secretary of defense. His nomination is part of a broader reshaping of government under Trump’s return, alongside other controversial confirmations such as Tulsi Gabbard as spy chief and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary.
If anything, Patel’s leadership will be closely scrutinized, given the already hard-won reputation of the FBI and Trump’s administration’s plans for a bold, contentious agenda.
