US senate confirms Trump loyalist Kash Patel as FBI director

The Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to confirm Kash Patel as director of the FBI, moving to place him atop the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency despite doubts from Democrats about his qualifications and concerns he will do Donald Trump's bidding and go after the Republican president's adversaries.

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A Trump loyalist who has fiercely criticised the agency, Indian-origin Patel will inherit an FBI gripped by turmoil as the Justice Department over the past month has forced out a group of senior bureau officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

"I cannot imagine a worse choice," Sen. Dick Durbin, D-III., told colleagues before the 51-49 vote by the GOP-controlled Senate. Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only Republican holdouts.

Patel has spoken of his desire to implement major changes at the FBI, including a reduced footprint at headquarters in Washington and a renewed emphasis on the bureau's traditional crime-fighting duties rather than the intelligencegathering and national security work that has come to define its mandate over the past two decades.

But he also echoed Trump's desire for retribution. Patel raised alarm among Democrats for saying before he was nominated that he would "come after" anti-Trump "conspirators" in the federal government and the media.

Patel thanked President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their support and emphasised his commitment to restoring public trust in the FBI.

In a post on X, Patel said, "I am honoured to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for your unwavering confidence and support." He added, "The FBI has a storied legacy--from the "G-Men" to safeguarding our nation in the wake of 9/11. The American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.

The politicalization of our justice system has eroded public trust--but that ends today." Patel vowed to rebuild the FBI into an organisation that the American people can be proud of.