President Donald Trump's FBI-led Kash Patel was sworn on Friday after a narrow vote in the Senate confirmation vote.
Patel was confirmed as the ninth FBI director of all time by the US Senator and replaced Christopher Ray before being sworn into the Eisen Shower's Executive Office Building by Attorney General Pam Bondy. Patel, an Indian-American, was the first person of colour to become the FBI director.
“I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Patel wrote to X shortly after confirmation. “We would like to thank President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for your unwavering confidence and support.”
FBI candidate Kash Patel has been confirmed in a narrow Senate vote
President Donald Trump's FBI-led Kash Patel was sworn on Friday after a narrow vote in the Senate confirmation vote. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)
Patel also said, “To those trying to harm Americans – consider this your warning. We'll corner you in every corner of this planet,” and after being confirmed, he said. He issued a harsh warning to the first message.
Patel has been a longtime Trump ally and a fierce opponent of the president's investigation. At a confirmation hearing last month, Patel vowed not to engage in political retaliation against agents who addressed the Trump classification document case and other politically sensitive issues.
Patel, like his fellow Republican majority rooms, faced a rocky path to confirmation, like his other fellow Trump Picks. Democrats on the panel used political weights to delay Patel's confirmation vote earlier this month.
Trump FBI Director Nominated Kash Patel receives support from Key GOP Senator
On the Senate floor, Judicial Democrat Dick Durbin claimed that Patel was behind the recent mass shootings at the FBI. Durbin indicated that what he described as a “very reliable” whistleblower report was that Patel personally directed the purge of FBI employees ongoing prior to confirmation.
On the Senate floor, Judicial Democrat Dick Durbin claimed that Patel was behind the recent mass shootings at the FBI. (AP/Reuters)
Patel brings a broad background in national security and information to the office. He previously personally implemented dangerous missions in the Middle East to bring US hostages home, and implemented anti-terrorism strategies against America's most wanted terrorists.
Four of the biggest conflicts between Patel, his confirmation hearing dems
Current and former US national security officials and lawmakers previously told Fox News Digital that they were “objectively” and “one of the most experienced people ever.”
Patel, who leads the office, comes when the FBI activities are under extreme scrutiny for political motivations that may include unique leadership and decisions.
Patel, who leads the office, comes when the FBI activities are under extreme scrutiny for political motivations that may include unique leadership and decisions. (AP/Ben Curtis)
Previously, thousands of FBI agents and their superiors were ordered to fill out a survey detailing their role in the January 6 survey, prompting concerns of retaliation or retaliation.
“The FBI will not be politicized,” Patel said at the confirmation hearing. “There's no retaliatory action.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
Patel previously served as the president's assistant and senior director of counterterrorism under the first Trump administration, working on senior al-Qaeda leaders and presidential missions aimed at destroying ISIS commands and controls.
Patel was also involved in the mission plan to take out Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, among other things.
Breanne Deppisch, Morgan Phillips and Brooke Singman of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
