The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kash Patel as the new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a closely contested 51-49 vote.
The decision, made on February 20, 2025, saw strong opposition from Democrats, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, also voting against his confirmation.
Patel, 44, is widely known for his loyalty to President Donald Trump and his past roles in Trump’s administration.
Patel’s confirmation has sparked heated debates, particularly due to his past statements and views.
Many Democrats have raised concerns about his support for conspiracy theories and his defense of individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Additionally, his outspoken stance against what he refers to as the “deep state” has fueled fears that his leadership could politicize the FBI.
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin voiced his concerns during a press conference outside the FBI headquarters, stating that Patel would be “a political and national security disaster” as the bureau’s leader.
He later reiterated his stance on the Senate floor, saying Patel is “dangerously, politically extreme” and accusing him of intending to use the FBI to target political opponents.
Patel, the son of Indian immigrants, was born in New York and holds a law degree from Pace University.
Before his appointment, he worked as a federal prosecutor and served in various key positions during Trump’s first term, including as a senior director for counterterrorism on the National Security Council and chief of staff to the acting defense secretary.
His predecessor, Christopher Wray, who was initially appointed by Trump, resigned following the 2024 presidential election despite having three years left in his term. Tensions between Wray and Trump had been evident for some time, leading to speculation about his early departure.
