Senate Moves Forward with Kash Patel’s Nomination for FBI Director Ahead of Final Vote
The nomination of Patel is set to advance to a full Senate confirmation vote later this afternoon.
WASHINGTON—On Thursday, the Senate cast a 51–47 vote to forward the nomination of Kash Patel as the new head of the FBI.
The final voting session is slated for 1:45 p.m. ET.
Patel became well-known for his attempts to uncover alleged misconduct by the FBI and Justice Department during the Crossfire Hurricane investigation pertaining to the 2016 Trump campaign.
If Patel receives confirmation, he would oversee an agency that President Donald Trump and some Republican leaders have accused of being politically weaponized.
During the hearing, Patel criticized the Crossfire Hurricane investigation and denied he maintained an “enemies list”—a claim linked to a list mentioned in his book, “Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy.”
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In a book appendix, Patel referred to the individuals listed as “members of the executive branch deep state.”
During the same hearing, Patel committed to assist Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in identifying individuals implicated in Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex trafficking operations.
“Child sex trafficking has no place in America, and if confirmed as FBI director, I will ensure that the American public is fully informed about the past,” he asserted.
The leading Republican and Democrat on the influential Senate Judiciary Committee, which advanced Patel’s nomination in a 12–10 party-line vote, are sharply divided on the former Trump administration official, who holds a law degree from Pace University and an international law certificate from University College London.
Prior to this, as senior counsel for the House Intelligence Committee, Patel collaborated closely with then-Chair Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) in the investigation into Crossfire Hurricane. He also managed a Counterterrorism Directorate within the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, later serving as senior adviser to Acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, and as chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.
Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recognized that Patel’s background is unconventional, lacking senior-level law enforcement experience, but stated that he is “the right man at the right time.”
“His career has demonstrated a commitment to fighting for causes that may not be popular but are just, exposing corruption, and prioritizing America,” Grassley remarked ahead of the procedural vote to proceed with Patel’s nomination in the full Senate on February 18.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the Judiciary Committee’s ranking member, opposed advancing Patel’s nomination, joining his fellow Democrats in voting against it on February 13.
“After reviewing Kash Patel’s record, meeting him, and questioning him during the hearing, I am more convinced than ever that he lacks the experience, judgment, and temperament necessary to lead the FBI,” Durbin stated, noting his support for previous Republican nominees for the role.
Durbin highlighted whistleblower allegations suggesting Patel was already orchestrating firings at the FBI prior to any confirmation.
These claims partially stem from a January 29 meeting initiated by acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll, Patel’s predecessor. At that meeting, it was reportedly communicated that certain FBI personnel needed to resign or be dismissed, with notes suggesting that “KP wants movement at FBI, reciprocal actions for DOJ,” according to Durbin.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) held a press conference earlier in February with other House Democrats expressing similar concerns about Patel’s nomination.
FBI directors, classified as “civil officers of the United States,” can face impeachment under the Constitution for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced an impeachment resolution aimed at Wray in 2023.
Nevertheless, during the press conference, Ivey told The Epoch Times that the Democrats’ minority status in the House would make impeachment efforts unlikely.
“Impeachment? If we could just achieve transparency, disclosure, and accountability, that would be a significant step forward,” he remarked.
The FBI operates under the Department of Justice, now led by Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida.
Another pivotal federal law enforcement agency, the Department of Homeland Security, is currently headed by Kristi Noem, who was confirmed in January.
During the January Judiciary hearing, Patel indicated that the FBI is prepared to assist the Department of Homeland Security as appropriate in its efforts to deport individuals considered special interest aliens—illegal immigrants from countries deemed significant national security and counter-intelligence risks to the United States.
“I believe that primary responsibility lies with other agencies,” he stated in response to Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.).
