Kash Patel is sworn in as FBI director by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus in Washington. (Photo: Reuters)

Kash Patel sworn in as FBI director, takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel was sworn in as FBI director on Saturday, taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. His appointment, confirmed by a 51-49 Senate vote, has drawn praise from former President Donald Trump but raised concerns among Democrats about the agency's independence.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Donald Trump praises Kash Patel's appointment citing FBI support
  • Patel confirmed by US Senate with 51-49 vote
  • Patel vows to restore trust in FBI

Kash Patel took oath as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Saturday, placing his hand on the Bhagavad Gita.

The oath ceremony was administered by the US Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus in Washington.

Kash Patel sworn in as FBI director, takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

US President Donald Trump praised Patel’s appointment, citing his support among FBI agents. “One of the reasons I love Kash and wanted to put him in is because of the respect the agents had for him,” Trump said.

“He will go down as the best ever at that position. 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,” he added.

Kash Patel sworn in as FBI director, takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

The Senate confirmed Patel’s nomination on Thursday in a 51-49 vote. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined Democrats in opposing his appointment.

Patel, a former counterterrorism prosecutor and chief of staff to the defence secretary, has been a vocal critic of the FBI. His confirmation has raised concerns among Democrats, who worry about the agency’s independence under his leadership.

He replaces Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 but later clashed with him before resigning.

FBI directors typically serve for 10 years to protect the agency from political influence. Patel’s close ties to Trump have led to questions about whether he will uphold that tradition.

Earlier, Democrats argued that his appointment could harm the FBI’s credibility. “The FBI shouldn’t serve as Donald Trump’s army,” said Senator Adam Schiff, a Democrat.

Patel has pledged to restore trust in the agency. “My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops – and rebuild trust in the FBI,” he said in a statement after his confirmation.