Senate confirms Kash Patel for FBI chief

Kash Patel was narrowly confirmed as FBI director in a 51-49 Senate vote on Thursday.

Patel, who has promised to reform the agency and stop the alleged targeting of Catholics, parents and pro-life groups, had already faced a five-and-a-half hour hearing focused on concerns from both political parties over weaponization of the justice system.

In a lengthy exchange with Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, Patel answered questions about how the FBI handled the case of pro-life father Mark Houck, who was arrested by the FBI at gunpoint in front of the Catholic man’s wife and seven children for FACE Act charges. A federal jury later acquitted Houck of all charges.

“There can never be a targeting by law enforcement just based on people’s faith,” Patel told Hawley, vowing to investigate “any matter important to Congress” and to hold accountable FBI employees who “violated the sacred trust” given to the bureau.

Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned from the position just before Trump took office. FBI directors have 10-year terms.

The vote was along party lines, with two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voting against Patel’s nomination.