The US Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the new FBI director for a ten-year term tonight.
He was nominated by US President Donald Trump, and the Senate approved the appointment by a vote of 51 to 49.
Republicans Suzanne Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against Patel.
Last week, a group of Democrats in the House of Representatives sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee opposing Patel’s nomination.
Democrats expressed concern that Patel would carry out Trump’s “retaliation” instead of focusing on the FBI’s mission to protect the American people.
Patel assured members of Congress that, if nominated, he would support the FBI’s independence and avoid politically motivated investigations.
Trump and Patel have long criticized the Justice Department and the FBI, accusing them of being “armed” against conservatives and prioritizing politics over justice, AA writes.
