Kash Patel has been appointed to a 10-year term as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following the resignation of Christopher Wray.
The U.S. Senate first voted on Thursday morning to invoke cloture, the last procedural step before the afternoon’s confirmation vote. Patel, 44, cleared the hurdle largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting his nomination and Democrats expressing significant concerns.
A final roll call vote was conducted at 1:45 p.m., securing Patel’s nomination following a confirmation process marked by adversity.
The vote comes amidst efforts by Trump-backed officials to reshape the FBI and Department of Justice to align more closely with the administration’s priorities.
During his confirmation hearing, Patel pledged to depoliticize the FBI and restore accountability within the Bureau. However, Democrats continued to vigorously criticize his close ties to President Trump and questioned his qualifications and impartiality.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) warned last week, “My prediction is if you vote for Kash Patel, more than any other confirmation vote you make, you will come to regret this one to your grave.” Other Democrats attacked Patel over his comments on the 2020 election, his defense of Jan. 6 defendants and concerns that he could lead a purge at the country’s principal federal law enforcement agency.
Sen. WHITEHOUSE: Kash Patel is the first senior law enforcement official in American history to have plead the fifth, and he’s been unwilling to even explain.
— Senate Judiciary Democrats 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryDems) February 20, 2025
“Kash Patel, mark my words, will cause evil in this building behind us. Republicans who vote for him will rue that day.” pic.twitter.com/Vsfh8guMmF
Patel fired back at Democrats, accusing them of twisting his words and taking his comments out of context—including a list in his book where he identified government officials as part of the “deep state,” which they categorized as an “enemies list.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately advanced Patel’s nomination last week in a 12-10 vote, strictly along party lines.
During Thursday’s cloture vote, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) came out in opposition to Patel’s nomination.
Maine’s senior senator voiced concerns over Patel’s ability to lead the FBI impartially.
“While I strongly support 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,” Collins said, adding, “Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.”
CONFIRMATION: Republican Senator Susan Collins just voted against Kash Patel. pic.twitter.com/TD3LEFl5HR
— @amuse (@amuse) February 20, 2025
At the same time, news broke that longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell would not seek reelection. McConnell backed Patel, surprising some observers.
As he begins his 10-year term, Patel faces major tasks ahead, having articulated a comprehensive agenda aimed at restructuring the FBI to enhance its efficiency and public trust.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
READ NEXT: Top Senate Republican Reveals Reelection Plan
YAY, he is FINALLY CONFIRMED; That is so AWESOME.
I am so looking forward to his returning the FBI to it’s former state, before they were CORRUPTED beyond repair.
I hope Patel GUTS the ENTIRE agency, with the exception of many GOOD men at the bottom of the rung who had no choice in decisions made by the CORRUPT top brass