Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump’s FBI Director nominee, Kash Patel, advanced in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday.
The Senate voted 48-45 along party lines in a procedural vote ahead of a final vote confirmation later this week.
“I’ve spoken to multiple people I respect about Kash Patel this weekend—both for and against. The ones who worked closely with Kash vouched for him. I will vote for his confirmation,” Louisiana GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday on X.
The advancement to a final vote comes after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines last week to advance Patel’s nomination.
A key adviser in former President Donald Trump’s first administration, Patel has been a strong supporter of Trump and an outspoken critic of what he describes as institutional failures within key U.S. agencies.
Trump nominated Patel for the position in November as grassroots supporters pushed the #KashOnly campaign on X.
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People,” Trump wrote.
“He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution. Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council,” he continued.
Trump also addressed the importance Patel will play in ending migrant crime and drug trafficking along the southern border.
“Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials. This FBI will end the growing crime epidemic in America, dismantle the migrant criminal gangs, and stop the evil scourge of human and drug trafficking across the Border. Kash will work under our great Attorney General, Pam Bondi, to bring back Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity to the FBI,” he concluded.