The Republican-controlled US Senate confirmed Kash Patel, President Donald Trump’s pick for FBI director, on Thursday (20 February), putting a Trump loyalist atop the nation's most prominent law enforcement agency at a time of growing upheaval.
“ Mr Patel’s record demonstrates that he’s dangerous, inexperienced and dishonest,” Democratic Senator Dirk Durbin of Illinois said.
“He should not and cannot serve as an effective FBI director.”
For his part, in a social media post, Patel thanked Trump and said he was honoured to be confirmed.
“The politicisation of our justice system has eroded public trust — but that ends today,” Patel wrote.
“My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops — and rebuild trust in the FBI.”
But in the lead-up to the vote, a parade of Democratic lawmakers, including Durbin, took the Senate floor to warn against confirming Patel, saying he would indeed politicise the FBI.
They raised questions about his ability to lead the FBI fairly, given past statements that suggested he might use the bureau’s resources to go after Trump’s political rivals and journalists.
“ It is shocking that my Republican colleagues are willing to support him despite the serious threat he poses to our national security,” Durbin said.
