WASHINGTON, Feb 21 (Alliance News): The US Senate has confirmed Kash Patel, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), despite fierce opposition from Democrats.
The vote passed 51-49, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, opposing his appointment.
Patel, 44, has been a controversial figure due to his support for pro-Trump rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and his repeated claims about a “deep state” working against Trump.
Democrats criticized his nomination, warning that he might use the FBI to target political opponents. Senator Dick Durbin called Patel “dangerously, politically extreme.”
In his statement, Patel pledged to restore public trust in the FBI, stating, “The politicization of our justice system ends today.”
He vowed to protect FBI employees from political retaliation while ensuring that those seeking to harm Americans are brought to justice.
Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned after Trump’s reelection in November. His confirmation adds to the list of Trump’s controversial cabinet picks, including Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence chief and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary.
The FBI has been in turmoil since Trump’s return to office, with lawsuits filed against the Justice Department by FBI employees who claim they are being targeted for their role in past investigations against Trump.
The new leadership signals a significant shift in the agency’s direction, raising concerns about its independence.
