Washington, D.C., Feb 21 (V7N) – Indian-origin Kash Patel has received final approval to become the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following a narrow 51-49 vote in the U.S. Senate on Thursday.

Patel, a former Trump administration official, confirmed the news on social media, while several Western media outlets also reported the confirmation.

Divided Senate Vote

The Republican-controlled Senate backed Patel, though two GOP senators, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, sided with Democrats in opposition. The close vote reflected concerns over Patel’s strong pro-Trump stance, with critics arguing that his leadership could impact the FBI’s impartiality.

On the other hand, Republican lawmakers defended Patel, claiming he would restore the FBI's lost integrity.

Patel's Response and Trump’s Influence

After the confirmation, Patel expressed gratitude to former President Donald Trump, writing on social media:

"The politicization of our justice system has eroded public trust. But that is ending today."

Patel, who previously served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense and an official on the National Security Council, was first nominated by Trump on November 30, 2024.

Who Is Kash Patel?

Born in New York in 1980, Kashyap Pramod Patel was raised in East Africa before moving back to the U.S. Both of his parents are of Gujarati origin.

As Patel prepares to lead the FBI, his appointment signals a major shift in U.S. law enforcement leadership, with potential implications for the agency's direction under a future Trump administration.

END/SMA/AJ