Kash Patel, a close supporter of Donald Trump, was confirmed as the new FBI Director by the US Senate with a vote of 51 to 49. Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, along with the Democrats, voted against his nomination. Following the vote, Patel stated on X that, “My task as Director is clear: good police officers must be able to do their job – and the trust in the FBI must be restored.” He added that he will build an FBI that will make the American people proud, together with the dedicated men and women of the FBI and their partners. Additionally, he issued a clear warning to potential threats: “And to all who seek to harm the American people – take this as a warning. We will hunt you down to the farthest corners of this planet.”
Trump praised Patel as an “America-First fighter who has spent his entire life uncovering corruption, defending justice and protecting the American people.” The former defense attorney and U.S. Attorney supports Trump’s course against organized crime, terrorism and illegal immigration and also advocates for the abolition of diversity, equality and inclusion programs in government agencies.
In his memoirs, Patel had called for limiting the FBI’s powers and warned of a “tyrannical government” within the agency. He also criticized the “Deep State” which, in his view, uses its power to instrumentalize internal dissidents against the government. These statements led the Democrats to label him as a radical. The Democratic Majority Leader Dick Durbin described him as an “extreme MAGA loyalist who will make our country less secure.”
During his confirmation hearing, Patel denied creating a “Enemies List” of government officials. He assured that the FBI under his leadership will not engage in “retaliatory measures” against political opponents of his or Trump’s. “There will be no politicization of the FBI” he emphasized.
In the election campaign, Trump had accused his predecessor Joe Biden of misusing the FBI and other agencies to pursue political opponents.