The FBI’s new director, Kash Patel, has vowed to “rebuild” the bureau after he was confirmed by the US Senate to lead the law-enforcement agency that he has long attacked.
The upper chamber of Congress narrowly approved President Donald Trump’s nominee by 51-49. Two Republicans voted no.
Democrats had warned he would seek retribution against Trump’s enemies, although the nominee has denied any plans to pursue political vendettas.
In his confirmation hearings, Patel, 44, also denied keeping a list of “deep state” enemies, while playing down controversial past remarks he had made such as referring to law enforcement officials who investigated Trump as “criminal gangsters”.
Patel was voted against by all Democratic senators and two Republicans who have often dissented, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
He was the 18th cabinet official approved by lawmakers since Trump was inaugurated a month ago.
“I am honoured to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Patel said on X, shortly after he was confirmed by the Senate.
“My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops – and rebuild trust in the FBI.”
“We will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of,” he added.
Patel takes the helm of an FBI in flux after the justice department forced out some of its top officials and demanded the names of agents who investigated the 2021 riot by Trump supporters at the US Capitol. [BBC]
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