Lagatar24 Desk
Washington, United States: Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel, a longtime supporter of former US President Donald Trump, has been appointed as the first Indian-origin Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Republican-led US Senate confirmed his appointment in a close 51-49 vote on Thursday.
To mark the occasion, Dan Scavino, Trump’s former White House Deputy Chief of Staff, celebrated Patel’s new role in a Bollywood-style tribute. Scavino shared a digitally edited clip on social media featuring a popular dance sequence from the film Bajirao Mastani, replacing actor Ranveer Singh’s face with that of Patel. The video, which featured the energetic song Malhari, symbolized victory and celebration.
“Congratulations to the new Director of the FBI, @Kash_Patel,” Scavino wrote in his post, which quickly gained millions of views and thousands of likes.
A Narrow Senate Vote and Opposition Challenges
Patel’s confirmation did not come without controversy. The Republican-controlled Senate approved his nomination with a slim majority, with two GOP senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, siding with the Democrats in opposition. However, despite concerns raised by critics, Patel secured the position and vowed to restore public trust in the FBI.
Speaking after his confirmation, Patel expressed gratitude to Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their support. He pledged to rebuild the agency’s credibility, emphasizing that his leadership would focus on transparency, accountability, and justice.
“The FBI has a long-standing legacy, from its early days to safeguarding national security after 9/11. Public trust in the agency has been eroded, but that changes today. My mission is to restore faith in law enforcement and ensure the FBI remains committed to justice,” Patel posted on social media.
Who is Kash Patel?
Born in New York to Gujarati parents, Patel spent part of his early years in East Africa before returning to the US. He attended Garden City High School in Long Island and later earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond. He pursued a law degree at University College London with a specialization in International Law.
Patel has held various high-profile roles in national security, including serving as Trump’s National Security Advisorand Senior Counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). His close ties with Trump and conservative policies have made him a key figure in Republican circles.
With his new role, Patel faces the challenge of revitalizing the FBI’s image and addressing concerns about political bias within the agency. As he takes on this responsibility, his tenure will likely be closely watched both in the US and internationally.
