Kash Patel officially took office as the ninth Director of the FBI on Thursday, making history as the first Indian American to lead the agency. In a bold statement marking the start of his tenure, Patel issued a warning to America’s enemies: “We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”
Patel, who succeeds Christopher Wray, was confirmed by a narrow 51-49 vote in the Republican-led Senate, with Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins voting against the confirmation, alongside all Senate Democrats. Patel’s nomination faced significant opposition, with some questioning his ability to lead the FBI impartially, citing his previous political remarks.
In his first remarks as FBI Director, Patel pledged to rebuild trust in the agency, vowing to make the FBI “transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.” He emphasized his commitment to restoring public confidence in the institution and to ensuring that law enforcement is free from political influence.
Patel also reiterated his commitment to enforcing justice fairly, saying, “Let good cops be cops,” and added, “To those who seek to harm Americans—consider this your warning. We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet.”
The White House supported Patel’s confirmation, viewing it as a crucial step in executing President Donald Trump’s agenda to restore integrity and uphold the rule of law. In a statement, the White House underscored the FBI’s renewed focus on its core mission of fair and unbiased justice.
While some Republicans, like Senators Murkowski and Collins, raised concerns over Patel’s past remarks, he received strong backing from other members of the Republican Party, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Patel’s confirmation is seen as a step to refocus the FBI on its law enforcement mission.
A former public defender, Patel previously served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense and Deputy Director of National Intelligence under President Trump. His tenure is expected to shape the direction of the FBI, especially in addressing national security concerns and restoring public trust in the agency’s operations.
