Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One martyr and one wounded in an Israeli drone attack on the town of Hafir, west of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone fired three missiles in the vicinity of the town of Bodai, west of Baalbek.
Reuters: The Rapid Support Forces announced that they have taken over the headquarters of the Sudanese Armed Forces in al-Fasher.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.

US Senate confirms Kash Patel as FBI director amid Democrat opposition

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Feb 2025 00:19
3 Min Read

The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI Director in a 51-49 vote, with two Republican senators opposing the nomination.

Listen
  • x
  • Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 30, 2025 (AP)
    Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's choice to be director of the FBI, appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing, at the Capitol in Washington, January 30, 2025 (AP)

The Republican-controlled US Senate on Thursday confirmed Kash Patel, a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump, as director of the FBI, the country's top law enforcement agency.

Patel, 44, was confirmed by a 51-49 vote, despite fierce opposition from Democrats. The vote was largely along party lines, with the exception of two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who joined Democrats in opposing Patel's nomination.

Patel has been a controversial figure, drawing criticism for his promotion of conspiracy theories and his defense of pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He has also vowed to purge members of what he describes as a "deep state" working against the Republican president.

The Senate's approval of Patel underscores Trump's continued influence over the Republican Party, as all of his cabinet nominees have been confirmed. Among them are Tulsi Gabbard as the nation's director of national intelligence, despite her past support for adversarial nations such as Russia and Syria, and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary.

Democratic Senator Dick Durbin led an effort to block Patel's confirmation, holding a press conference outside FBI headquarters in Washington, DC, where he warned that Patel's leadership would be a "political and national security disaster."

Speaking later on the Senate floor, Durbin described Patel as "dangerously, politically extreme."

"He has repeatedly expressed his intention to use our nation's most important law enforcement agency to retaliate against his political enemies," Durbin said.

Related News

China set to delay rare earths restrictions 1 year: Bessent

Ansar Allah detain 3 UN staff as spies for 'Israel', US

Patel, who holds a law degree from Pace University and previously worked as a federal prosecutor, will replace Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump during his first term. Despite having three years left in his 10-year tenure, Wray resigned following Trump's victory in the November presidential election after a strained relationship with the president.

Patel is expected to take office immediately and assume leadership of the 38,000-strong Federal Bureau of Investigation.

'Unbounded power'

Former FBI officials in December raised concerns over the potential implications of Donald Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel as the next FBI director.

Patel is likely to wield unprecedented power within the bureau, as he appears poised for confirmation next year with the backing of key Republicans and amid the current director’s anticipated resignation, the news website indicated.

The alarm has grown over Patel’s nomination, given his controversial actions and statements, including calls to shut down FBI headquarters and the creation of what critics have labeled an "enemies list".

Patel is expected to receive unanimous support from Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, solidifying his path to confirmation, The Guardian suggested.

It cited former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi and other officials familiar with the bureau’s operations as saying that Patel’s leadership could eliminate traditional checks on the FBI director's authority, particularly under a second Trump administration.

The news website mentioned that Patel is anticipated to appoint his own chief of staff and a new FBI general counsel, enabling him to pursue actions aligned with a campaign of retribution.

Moreover, Pam Bondi, Trump’s nominee for attorney general, has echoed Patel’s vision to make the FBI subordinate to the White House.

  • United States
  • Kash Patel
  • Donald Trump
  • Tulsi Gabbard
  • Robert F Kennedy Jr

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS