Indian-American Kash Patel was officially sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, taking his oath on the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. Patel, accompanied by his girlfriend and family members, was sworn in by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. His confirmation by the U.S. Senate marks a historic moment, as he succeeds Christopher Wray in leading the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency.
Patel is not the first Indian-American to take an oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita. Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath on the revered Hindu scripture, reflecting the growing diversity in American leadership.
“The American Dream”
In his remarks, Patel described his appointment as the “greatest honor” of his life and a testament to the American dream. “Anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, look right here,” he said. “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.”
Patel emphasized his commitment to upholding the Constitution and ensuring accountability both within and outside the FBI. His vision for the agency includes restoring integrity and justice, a sentiment echoed by the White House in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “It’s time we restore integrity and justice at the FBI. MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN!”
Trump’s Praise for Kash Patel
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong support for Patel, predicting that he would go down in history as one of the best FBI directors. “I think he’ll go down as the best ever at that position,” Trump told reporters ahead of the ceremony. “The agents love this guy.”
Trump also highlighted Patel’s bipartisan support during the confirmation process, citing a glowing endorsement from former Congressman Trey Gowdy. “Trey Gowdy came out with an incredible statement and said that Kash is an incredible person. When he said that, there was no doubt left,” Trump added.
Democrats’ Concerns About FBI Director Appointment
Despite bipartisan support, some Democrats expressed concerns about Patel’s appointment, fearing he might act as a Trump loyalist and misuse the FBI’s powers to target the president’s adversaries. These concerns stemmed from Patel’s past comments, where he vowed to “come after” anti-Trump “conspirators” in the government and media.
Patel’s Response to Concerns
At his confirmation hearing, Patel sought to address these concerns, stating that he would adhere strictly to the Constitution and had no intention of pursuing retribution. He also dismissed some media reports about him as “fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory.”
Kash Patel’s Vision for FBI Reform
Patel has outlined ambitious plans to reform the FBI, including reducing its footprint in Washington and refocusing on traditional crime-fighting duties rather than intelligence-gathering. He emphasized the importance of the FBI’s national security mission, alongside its efforts to combat violent crimes and drug overdoses.
National Security and Crime-Fighting
“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,” Patel declared. “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.”
A Decade-Long Term for FBI Directors
FBI directors are typically appointed for a 10-year term to insulate them from political influence and prevent loyalty to any particular administration. However, Patel’s appointment comes after Trump fired his predecessor, James Comey, and replaced Christopher Wray after seven years in the role.
Patel’s Background
Patel, a former Justice Department counterterrorism prosecutor, was nominated for the position in November. His leadership is expected to bring significant changes to the FBI’s operations and priorities.