The new Director of the federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is confirmed to be Kash Patel, a close supporter of US President Donald Trump. His appointment was approved by the US Senate 51-49 vote. They voted unanimously against confirming him, with two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, saying they agreed that Patel had too close ties with President Trump.
The 44 year old is loyal to President Trump and is no stranger to harsh words directed at the FBI. President Trump has called officials who investigated him “criminal gangsters” and has hinted that some of the people involved in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot are “political prisoners.” Though these statements are controversial, Patel has vowed to ban political bias from the FBI and to reform the agency in order to restore public trust.
Patel said in his first statement after confirmation: “I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops – and rebuild trust in the FBI.” Asserting that this erosion of trust ‘ends today,’ he emphasized the need for a transparent and accountable FBI.
The FBI is in the middle of major changes, and Patel is being appointed at the time. Recently, the Justice Department has dismissed several top officials and asked for names of agents involved in the inquiry into the January 6 Capitol riot. These actions have roused fears the agency will be functionally controlled by politics.
Patel’s supporters see him bringing reforms to the FBI that are badly needed. Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican from Iowa, said Patel wants to make the FBI accountable again and the kind of great law enforcement agency that it has been historically. But opponents of Patel, including Democratic Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, contend that he lacks experience for the job and that previous controversial remarks disqualify him from running the agency. Confirming Patel could have long term negative consequences in the nation’s justice system, Durbin warned.
Patel will have the task of uniting a divided agency and currying public and government good will over concerns of political bias. In the coming months, supporters and critics will be closely watching his actions to see if he can deliver on his promise to rebuild trust in the FBI.
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