Kash Patel confirmed for top spot at FBI

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as the next director of the FBI on Thursday afternoon.

Patel was approved by a vote of 51-49, mostly along party lines. Every Democrat in the Senate voted against him while Republicans largely ed him with the exception of Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME).

Patel is set take on the job as the agency is embroiled in turmoil. President Donald Trump has promised to overhaul the bureau.

“We need to restore ability at the FBI, particularly on that top floor of the Hoover Building. Mr. Patel is exactly the man that can do that,” said Senate Judiciary Committee chair Sen. Chuck Grassley, (R-IA), on the Senate floor Wednesday.

Many Republicans lawmakers have said the FBI is corrupt and believe Patel will help reform it.

“He’s going to reshape the bureau so it no longer is a tool for political attacks,” said Sen. John Barrasso, (R-WY)

For Democrats, Patel is considered a controversial and concerning pick for the job. They continued to express deep doubts about him on Thursday because of his past controversial statements. They also said he lacks the experience needed for the role and are concerned that the Trump loyalist will use the FBI to go after the president’s political opponents.

“My Senate Republican colleagues are willing, willfully ignoring myriad red flags about Mr. Patel, especially his recurring instinct to threaten retribution against his perceived enemies,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, (D-IL), the ranking member on the judiciary committee.

Sen. Durbin and other Democratic senators spoke out against Patel outside the FBI building in Washington a few hours before the vote.

“Kash Patel, mark my words will cause evil in this building behind us and Republicans who vote for him will rue that day,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, (D-RI).

Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Collins both issued statements on Thursday that explained why they were voting against Patel.

“While I strongly efforts to ensure all federal employees perform their responsibilities ethically and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of Director of the FBI,” said Sen. Collins’ statement. “Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.”

Sen. Murkowski wrote on X that she took issue with Patel’s previous political activities.

“My reservations with Mr. Patel stem from his own prior political activities and how they may influence his leadership,” she wrote. “The FBI must be trusted as the federal agency that roots out crime and corruption, not focused on settling political scores.”

Patel also issued a statement on X after the vote, writing in part:

“I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation… Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Bureau and our partners, we will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of.”

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