WASHINGTON — Kash Patel officially took office as the FBI director on Friday, expressing that leading the agency represents the “greatest honor” he has ever experienced.
Patel’s confirmation came through a narrow Senate vote of 51-49 the previous day, with Republican Senators Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska dissenting.
In remarks made prior to the swearing-in ceremony at the White House, President Donald Trump expressed confidence in Patel’s capabilities, proclaiming that he would be recognized as one of the best in the role. The ceremony was led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and attended by various Republican supporters, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan. Trump noted that “agents love this guy,” highlighting Patel’s reputation among the FBI staff.
Patel steps into the role at a challenging time for the FBI, which is reeling from upheaval within the Justice Department that recently saw the dismissal of several senior officials. The department is also facing scrutiny for asking for the identities of numerous agents who were involved in the investigations following the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The appointment has raised alarms among Democrats, who worry that Patel may act as a partisan loyalist for Trump and misuse the FBI’s law enforcement authority to target opponents of the former president. Concerns have been amplified by Patel’s past statements suggesting he would seek retribution against individuals perceived as anti-Trump “conspirators.”
During his confirmation hearing, Patel attempted to quell these fears by asserting his commitment to upholding the Constitution and his intention to avoid retaliation. However, at his swearing-in statement, he accused reporters of spreading “fake, malicious, slanderous and defamatory” stories about him.
Republicans, feeling aggrieved by what they perceive as bias in law enforcement against conservative figures under the Biden administration, have thrown their support behind Patel, viewing him as an ideal choice for the position.
Patel has expressed his ambition to enact significant reforms within the FBI, advocating for a reduced focus on the agency’s presence in Washington, D.C., and a renewed commitment to its core mission of traditional crime-fighting. He emphasized the importance of balancing national security with efforts to combat violent crime and drug issues, stating, “Anyone that wishes to do harm to our way of life and our citizens, here and abroad, will face the full wrath of the DOJ and FBI.” He further added that those hiding from justice, anywhere, would face an extensive manhunt.
A previous counterterrorism prosecutor at the Justice Department, Patel was appointed in November to succeed Christopher Wray, who had been appointed by Trump in 2017 and resigned after the Biden administration commenced. The relationship between Trump and Wray was often strained, particularly following the FBI’s investigation of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate for classified documents in August 2022, leading to indictments that were dismissed following Trump’s recent electoral victory.
FBI directors serve 10-year terms intended to protect them from political meddling and prevent allegiance to any specific president or political agenda. However, Trump dismissed James Comey, the director he inherited, after more than three years, and Patel now replaces Wray, who served for over seven years.
Kash Patel inaugurated as the new FBI director at the White House, declares it the ‘highest honor’
