Senate confirms Indian-origin Kash Patel as next FBI director

The Senate confirmed Indian-origin Kash Patel as the nation’s FBI director, on Thursday (US time), as the nominee received 51 in favor while 49 were against his confirmation.

Who are the Republicans voted against Kash Patel's confirmation?

Republicans Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined all 47 Democrats in voting no on Patel’s nomination.

Earlier, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced that she would vote against the confirmation of Kash Patel.
"In this context, there is a compelling need for an FBI Director who is decidedly apolitical. While Patel has had 16 years of dedicated public service, his time over the past four years has been characterized by high profile and aggressive political activity. Patel has made numerous poltically charges statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead. These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel's ability to advance the FBI's law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation," Collins said in her statement.
"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.”
"Therefore, I will vote against his nomination."
Meanwhile, Alaska Sen Lisa Murkowski defended her stance and said that Kash Patel had the opportunity to push back on the administration’s decision to force the FBI to provide a list of agents involved in the January 6 investigations and prosecutions, he failed to do so.

Patel, a Trump loyalist and vocal critic of the agency, would take charge during a period of significant upheaval. Recent developments include the Justice Department's removal of senior FBI officials and an unusual request for identifying thousands of agents involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot investigations.
As FBI directors serve 10-year terms to maintain independence, Patel replaced Christopher Wray, who resigned before Trump's return to office. Patel previously served as a federal defender and Justice Department counterterrorism prosecutor, gaining Trump's attention through his critical analysis of the FBI's Russia investigation whilst working for the House Intelligence Committee.

Who is Kash Patel?

Kash Patel, a native of Garden City, New York, was born to parents from Gujarat, India. His family's journey began in the early 1970s when they left Uganda due to ethnic discrimination and settled in Canada. They later relocated to the USA after his father accepted a position as a financial officer in an aviation firm.
Despite speculation about a private Hindu marriage ceremony, Patel remains single. Whilst his professional achievements are well-known, particularly his firm position on Russia and allegiance to former President Donald Trump, he maintains privacy regarding his personal affairs.
His academic credentials include a History and Criminal Justice degree from the University of Richmond, complemented by a JD from Pace University School of Law.
He has worked as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council (NSC). Patel was in charge of executing many of President Donald Trump’s top priorities, including “eliminating ISIS and Al-Qa’ida leadership such as al-Baghdadi and Qasem al-Rimi, and the safe repatriation of numerous American hostages,” says the US Defence Department.
According to the US Department of Defence, Patel “served as the former Chief of Staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and is responsible for leading the Secretary’s mission at the Department, including his executive staff and providing counsel to the Secretary on all matters concerning the Department’s operations.”