Indian-American Kash Patel was officially sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on February 22, marking a historic moment for the nation’s premier law enforcement agency. Taking his oath on the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita, Patel emphasised his commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution and ensuring accountability within the bureau.
#WATCH | Washington | Kash Patel takes oath on the Bhagavad Gita, as the 9th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Source: US Network Pool via Reuters pic.twitter.com/c5Jr0ul1Jm
— ANI (@ANI) February 21, 2025
The oath ceremony took place at the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus in Washington, D.C. Patel was sworn in by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in the presence of his family members and girlfriend.
Patel’s confirmation by the US Senate on February 21, with a narrow 51-49 vote, made him the first Indian-American to assume the role. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, broke ranks to join the Democrats in opposing his appointment, citing concerns about his perceived loyalty to former President Donald Trump.
Following his confirmation, Patel expressed his deep gratitude, calling the opportunity to lead the FBI the “greatest honor” of his life.
“I am living the American dream, and anyone who thinks that the American dream is dead, look right here,” Patel said during his speech after the ceremony. “You are talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth. That can’t happen anywhere else.”
President Donald Trump, speaking to reporters ahead of Patel’s oath ceremony, strongly praised his appointment, stating, “I think he’ll go down as the best ever at that position. One of the reasons I love Kash and wanted to put him in is because of the respect the agents had for him.”
Trump added, “Turned out he was very easy to get approved. He is a tough and strong guy. He has his opinions. Trey Gowdy came out with an incredible statement and said that Kash is an incredible person, and people don’t realise it. When he said that, there was no doubt left. It was a big statement made by someone who is respected and is on the moderate side.”
However, Patel’s appointment has sparked concerns among Democrats, who worry that he may use his position to pursue political retribution on behalf of Trump. Some lawmakers referenced past remarks from Patel, where he indicated he would “come after” anti-Trump “conspirators” within the government and media.
During his confirmation hearing, Patel sought to address these concerns, clarifying that he intended to follow the Constitution and had no plans for political retribution. “Some reports about me were fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory,” Patel said after his swearing-in.
As the new FBI director, Patel has vowed to implement sweeping reforms within the agency. He has expressed a desire to reduce the FBI’s footprint in Washington, shifting its focus back to traditional crime-fighting efforts rather than intelligence-gathering.
“The FBI’s national security mission is as important as its efforts to fight violent crimes and drug overdoses,” Patel emphasised. “Anyone that wishes to do harm to our way of life and our citizens, here and abroad, will face the full wrath of the DOJ and FBI. If you seek to hide in any corner of this country or planet, we will put on the world’s largest manhunt, and we will find you and decide your end-state.”
His commitment to reform aligns with the concerns many conservatives have voiced regarding the agency’s current operations. The White House echoed Patel’s stance, posting in social media X, “It’s time we restore integrity and justice at the FBI. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”
I am honored to be confirmed as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for your unwavering confidence and support.
The FBI has a storied legacy—from the “G-Men” to safeguarding our nation in the wake of…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) February 20, 2025
Patel, a former Justice Department counterterrorism prosecutor and chief of staff to the Defense Secretary, has been a vocal critic of the FBI in recent years. His confirmation comes at a time when public trust in the agency has been a subject of debate.
The role of FBI director is typically a 10-year term, designed to insulate the position from political influence. However, history suggests that longevity in the role is not guaranteed. Trump had previously fired James Comey, the FBI director he inherited, after just over three years in office. Patel’s predecessor, Christopher Wray, also clashed with Trump before resigning after more than seven years at the helm.
