President Donald Trump‘s choose to run the FBI, Kash Patel, has now been confirmed.

In November 2024, Trump nominated Patel, a loyalist, to function the following Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a sequence of controversial Cupboard nominations which have largely been accepted.

“I’m proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will function the following Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump posted on Fact Social when saying his nominee. “Kash is an excellent lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his profession exposing corruption, defending Justice, and defending the American Folks.”

Even with a Republican-led Senate, it was unclear whether or not Patel would have been confirmed. However now accepted, you possibly can study extra about him beneath.

Who Is Kash Patel?

Patel, the son of Indian immigrants, is a former public defender who rose by senior nationwide safety roles throughout Trump’s first time period. In 2018, he served as an aide to Rep. Devin Nunes, the highest Republican on the Home Intelligence Committee, the place he gained Trump’s favor in the course of the Russia investigation. Trump praised Patel for this in his social media publish, stating he “performed a pivotal position in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for fact, accountability, and the Structure.” In 2019, Patel joined the Nationwide Safety Council earlier than turning into chief of employees to the appearing protection secretary within the remaining yr of Trump’s first time period.

Since then, Patel has been a vocal Trump supporter, selling the false declare that the 2020 election was “stolen” and pushing the baseless “deep state” conspiracy idea. He has alleged that federal officers sought to undermine the president and known as for changing “anti-democratic” civil servants in legislation enforcement and intelligence with “patriots” loyal to the American individuals. In his 2023 memoir, Authorities Gangsters, Patel described the political local weather as a “battle between the individuals and a corrupt ruling class,” branding the “Deep State” as an unelected cabal bent on controlling the presidency and dictating what People can know.

Along with his memoir, Patel has revealed two pro-Trump kids’s books.

What Is Kash Patel’s Internet Value?

Patel’s internet price is now an estimated $5 million, based on Superstar Internet Value, a big improve from the beforehand reported $800,000.

A current monetary disclosure additionally revealed that he earned at the least $2.6 million over the previous yr alone. The first supply of his earnings—over $2.1 million—was nationwide safety, protection, and intelligence consulting by his agency, Trishul LLC. Trishul LLC’s shoppers embody Trump Media & Know-how Group, the Embassy of Qatar, and Czech monetary companies firm CSGM. Since 2022, Patel has served on the board of Trump Media & Know-how Group, which owns Fact Social, and likewise holds a consulting contract reportedly price at the least $120,000 yearly.

Patel additionally earned between $145,000 and $1.2 million from his guide offers.

Is Kash Patel Married?

Patel isn’t married, and he appears to maintain his courting life non-public.

In 2014, based on The New York Occasions, Patel participated in an Above the Legislation charity bachelor public sale benefiting the Switchboard of Miami however later dropped out after a blogger identified that his legislation license seemed to be outdated within the state.

Does Kash Patel Have Youngsters?

Patel doesn’t have any kids.

Who Was the Earlier Director of the FBI?

Christopher Wray was the FBI Director earlier than Patel, having been appointed by Trump in 2017. Nonetheless, Wray rapidly misplaced favor with the president and his allies earlier than Trump left workplace in 2021.

Whereas the FBI director place sometimes carries a 10-year time period, Wray’s elimination had been broadly anticipated as a consequence of Trump’s ongoing public criticism of him and the FBI, particularly following the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property for categorized paperwork and two investigations that led to his indictment.

On Thursday, February 20, Patel was narrowly confirmed with a 51-49 vote. Wray had received affirmation in 2017 with 92 votes.