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Kash Patel, a longtime ally of President Donald Trump, was confirmed as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Thursday (February 20). The Senate confirmed Patel's appointment with a narrow 51-49 vote, with all Democrats opposing and two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine, also voting against him. Patel's confirmation comes amid significant changes within the FBI, including the removal of several senior executives and field office heads since President Trump took office last month.
Patel, who previously served as a federal prosecutor and held various roles in the first Trump administration, has been a controversial figure due to his close ties to Trump and his past statements about restructuring the FBI. During his confirmation hearing, Patel distanced himself from Trump's pardons of Capitol rioters but did not commit to refraining from investigating Trump's political opponents.
Patel's appointment has raised concerns about the potential politicization of the bureau, with Democrats questioning his ability to maintain the FBI's independence. Patel's past involvement in the investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents and his loyalty to Trump have also been points of contention during his confirmation process.
As Patel assumes leadership of the FBI, he faces the challenge of balancing the bureau's independence with the administration's expectations. His tenure is expected to bring significant changes to the FBI's operations and priorities.