Patel, whose nomination has been opposed by Democrats, was approved by a vote of 12–10. His nomination now heads to the Senate floor.
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kash Patel to be director of the FBI was advanced by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 13, setting up a final vote by the full Senate that would enable him to take office.
Patel, an attorney who served in several national security staff roles during the first Trump administration, was
announced as Trump’s nominee for the post on Nov. 30, 2024.
Trump had demanded that then-Director Christopher Wray, whom Trump nominated and appointed during his first term in 2017, resign from his position amid criticism from conservatives of the FBI’s investigative activities.
Wray resigned shortly before Trump’s inauguration. By
statute, the director of the FBI serves a 10-year term, although he serves at the pleasure of the president and may be dismissed at any time.
Patel’s nomination was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12–10 party-line vote. A final vote on his nomination will require the Senate to vote to invoke cloture, and then hold a
maximum of two hours of debate. Many of Trump’s other nominees for national security positions, such as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have received Senate confirmation.
“We will restore integrity, accountability, and equal justice to our justice system and return the FBI to its rightful mission: protecting the American people,” Patel wrote on Truth Social following the
announcement of his nomination in 2024.
Patel’s nomination hearing was held on Jan. 30 before the committee, where he faced five hours of
questions from senators. The committee had been scheduled to vote on advancing his nomination on Feb. 6, but Democrats on the committee
invoked a rule to delay his nomination by one week.
Patel has attracted
opposition from Democrats in Congress who say his previous writings and media commentary suggest he will be retributive against Trump’s political opponents. Patel has denied these charges. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who is also the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, has spoken out against Patel’s nomination.
“To think this man would be in charge of 38,000 FBI agents ... is frightening,” Durbin
said on the Senate floor on Feb. 5. “His message in politics is to get even.”
“Mr. Patel gives no quarter when he disagrees with someone,” Durbin said at the hearing on Feb. 13. “Mr. Patel has also displayed a startling disdain for the agency he’s been nominated to lead.”
Patel has denied all criticisms against him. During his confirmation hearing, he vowed not to target political opponents.
“There will be no politicization at the FBI,” he said. “There will be no retributive actions taken by any FBI should I be confirmed as the FBI director.”
It is unclear when Patel’s nomination will be scheduled for a vote. The office of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.
