Senate confirms Kash Patel to lead FBI

Patel has previously vowed to root out partisan political actors within the agency and to end its perceived political weaponization.

By Ben Whedon

Published: February 20, 2025 2:26pm

The Senate confirmed Kash Patel on Thursday to lead the FBI, marking the latest in a string of wins for President Donald Trump, who has tapped a number of unconventional figures to overhaul key departments.

Patel's confirmation came in an 51 to 49 vote after several weeks of media cycles suggesting his nomination was in peril.

GOP Sens. Susan Collins, Maine; and Lisa Murkowski, Alaska; voted with Democrats in opposing him. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., backed Patel after opposing some of Trump's other nominees.

The vote comes after the Senate already confirmed Tulsi Gabbard to lead the Office of National Intelligence and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Patel has previously vowed to root out partisan political actors within the agency and to end its perceived political weaponization.