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CV NEWS FEED // The U.S. Senate Thursday confirmed lawyer Kash Patel as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a close 51-49 vote.
Shortly after his confirmation, Patel vowed to end what he called the “politicalization of our justice system” and rebuild public trust in the Bureau.
The incoming director, whom President Donald Trump had nominated in November, is an outspoken proponent of reform in the FBI.
He has also publicly opposed the FBI’s targeting of American Catholics, and in particular an infamous 2023 memo that singled out “radical traditional” Catholics. During his Senate confirmation hearing last month, Patel gave Sen. Josh Hawley, R-MO, his “commitment to investigate” the memo.
Every Senate Democrat voted against confirming Patel. Conversely, all but two of the Senate’s Republicans voted in favor of confirming Trump’s FBI pick. The only two dissenting Republican votes were from Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK.
>> LAST MONTH: PATEL VOWS TO INVESTIGATE ANTI-CATHOLIC MEMO <<
Collins and Murkowski are both self-professed Catholics who have mixed voting records. Both lawmakers are widely considered to be the two most moderate members of the Senate Republican Conference.
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, perceived to be a swing vote on Patel, ultimately voted for his confirmation. McConnell announced his retirement from the Senate on Thursday. He is set to leave office when his term expires in January 2027.
McConnell voted against the ultimately successful confirmations of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. McConnell was the lone Republican to vote against confirming the latter two.
Patel wrote on X (formerly Twitter) Thursday afternoon that he was “honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” and thanked Trump and Attorney General Bondi for their “unwavering confidence and support.”
As FBI director, Patel is set to work under Bondi, who leads the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“The FBI has a storied legacy,” Patel continued in his X post, “from the ‘G-Men’ to safeguarding our nation in the wake of 9/11. The American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.”
“The politicalization of our justice system has eroded public trust—but that ends today,” the incoming FBI Director emphasized. “My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops—and rebuild trust in the FBI.”
“Working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Bureau and our partners, we will rebuild an FBI the American people can be proud of,” Patel outlined. “And to those who seek to harm Americans—consider this your warning. We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”
“Mission First,” he wrote. “America Always. Let’s get to work.”
