Feb 13, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Kash Patel gets Senate Judiciary nod to lead FBI

Kathleen Hunter

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines Thursday to recommend Kash Patel's nomination to serve as FBI director.

Why it matters: The vote moves Patel a critical step closer to being confirmed to a role that's set to take on even more importance given President Trump's early focus on expanding the powers of law enforcement.

Democrats predicted Patel would prove to be a Trump loyalist who would politicize the FBI.

The big picture: Shortly after Trump took office, the Justice Department ordered the review of any FBI agent involved in cases relating to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot or Trump's handling of classified documents.

Nine FBI agents filed suit last week seeking to prevent the DOJ from compiling a list of the agents who investigated Jan. 6 cases.

Zoom in: All of the panel's Republicans supported Patel, who had a notable split with Trump over the president's blanket pardon of Jan. 6 rioters.

Patel told lawmakers during his Jan. 30 confirmation hearing that he did "not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement."
Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) accused Democrats ahead of the vote of "breathlessly" and unfairly waging a "harassment" campaign against Patel.

Go deeper: What to know about Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI director

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Kash Patel gets Senate Judiciary nod to lead FBI

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