"I am living the American dream," says new FBI Director Kash Patel

Newly appointed FBI Director Kash Patel has called his rise to the top of the agency a testament to the enduring power of the American dream. Speaking after taking the oath of office, Patel, a first-generation Indian-American, said, "I am the living the American dream, and anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, look right here. You're talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth. That can't happen anywhere else."

Patel, who officially took charge on Friday, also vowed to uphold accountability within and beyond the FBI. "I promise that there will be accountability within the FBI and outside of it," he asserted.



Patel was confirmed as the new FBI Director on Thursday in a narrow 51-49 Senate vote, with Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska breaking ranks to oppose him.

President Donald Trump, who backed Patel’s nomination, expressed strong support ahead of the White House swearing-in ceremony on Friday. "I think he'll go down as the best ever at that position," Trump told reporters, adding that "agents love this guy." The ceremony was led by Attorney General Pam Bondi and attended by Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Jim Jordan.

Patel takes charge of an FBI embroiled in internal upheaval. The Justice Department has recently ousted several senior officials and demanded the names of thousands of agents involved in investigations related to the January 6 Capitol riot. His appointment has sparked concerns among Democrats, who fear he will use the FBI to target Trump’s political opponents. They point to past remarks in which Patel suggested he would go after anti-Trump “conspirators” in government and the media.

At his confirmation hearing, Patel attempted to ease those concerns, pledging to uphold the Constitution and denying any intent for retribution. However, at his swearing-in, he took aim at the press, accusing reporters of writing "fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory" stories about him.

Republicans, frustrated with what they view as law enforcement bias against conservatives and the criminal investigations into Trump, have championed Patel as the right leader to reform the FBI. He has promised sweeping changes, including reducing the bureau’s Washington footprint and refocusing on traditional crime-fighting rather than intelligence operations that have dominated its role in recent decades.

With inputs from Agencies.