The Senate confirmed Kashyap Kash Patel as the new FBI director in a close vote of 51 to 49, primarily reflecting party lines. Multiple high-profile Republicans opposed his confirmation, while Mitch McConnell supported it, surprising many given his past opposition to Trump nominees. Patel aims to tackle terrorism and Chinese espionage as the foremost threats to the U.S. He replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned amid tensions with Trump’s administration regarding the FBI’s investigations surrounding the 2020 election.
Patel's confirmation means he will be taking over the role from FBI Director Christopher Wray, who announced he would be stepping down before Trump took office.
During Thursday's hearing, Patel said that the biggest threat to the U.S. would be to thwart terrorism and Chinese Communist Party espionage.
Two high-profile Republicans, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, notably voted against his confirmation.
McConnell was against having Pete Hegseth as the Defense Secretary, Tulsi Gabbard as the director of National Intelligence, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services.
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