The US Senate has confirmed Indian-American Kash Patel as the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, USA’s top law enforcement agency.
Patel, a former prosecutor and key figure in Donald Trump’s first administration, was narrowly approved in a 51-49 vote.
The confirmation marks a dramatic shift in the leadership of the FBI, which has faced repeated attacks from Trump and his allies, who claim the agency has been weaponised against conservatives.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) February 20, 2025
In a statement on X, Patel vowed to restore trust in the FBI, pledging to end the politicisation of the justice system and uphold transparency and accountability. He expressed gratitude to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for their support and emphasised his commitment to empowering law enforcement.
“My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops—and rebuild trust in the FBI.”
Patel promised to work alongside FBI agents and partners to rebuild the agency’s reputation and issued a stern warning to those threatening America, stating they would be pursued relentlessly. His closing message: “Mission First. America Always.”
Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned last month after Trump indicated he would remove him. His appointment was met with applause at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where Florida Senator Rick Scott asked the crowd, “What do you think about Kash Patel?” The audience responded with loud cheers.
During his career, Patel has been instrumental in efforts to declassify documents related to the FBI’s Russia investigation. His book, Government Gangsters, lists dozens of officials he accused of undermining Trump’s presidency.
Patel’s appointment expands the presence of Indian-Americans in key roles within the new Trump administration, joining Tulis Gabbard, Jay Bhattacharya, Harmeet K. Dhillon, Ricky Gill, Kush Desai and Saurabh Sharma.
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