The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel, a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump, as the new FBI Director on Thursday. Patel, 44, faced strong opposition from Democrats, but his nomination passed with a narrow 51-49 vote.
The vote largely followed party lines, with two Republican senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—opposing Patel's confirmation. Patel will now head the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which employs 38,000 people.
Democrats criticized Patel for promoting conspiracy theories, defending the pro-Trump rioters involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, and for his outspoken commitment to rooting out a supposed “deep state” working against Trump.
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This confirmation continues the trend of the Senate approving Trump's cabinet appointments, reflecting his continued influence within the Republican Party.
Among other controversial confirmations were Tulsi Gabbard as the nation’s spy chief, despite her past support for Russia and Syria, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, as health secretary.
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