Washington DC [US], February 22 (ANI): Kash Patel, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was officially sworn in on Friday, taking the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. His family, including his girlfriend, stood beside him as he recited the oath, while other family members sat in the front row.
Patel’s confirmation as the ninth FBI Director followed a narrow 51-49 vote in the Senate, with all Senate Democrats opposing him and Republicans offering their support, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The vote marked the culmination of his nomination process, which had garnered both significant support and opposition.
Living the ‘American Dream’
During his remarks after being sworn in, Patel reflected on his journey and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the FBI. “Anyone who thinks the American Dream is dead, look right here. You are talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth,” Patel said, emphasizing that such a story could only happen in America.
He also made a strong commitment to restoring accountability within the FBI. “I promise there will be accountability within the FBI and outside of it,” Patel affirmed, pledging rigorous constitutional oversight starting that weekend.
Patel’s Strong Stance on Crime and Media Criticism
In his speech, Patel addressed the rising crime rate across the country, stressing that his administration would take decisive action against it. “A hundred thousand people last year raped, a hundred thousand people died of CCP Fentanyl overdose and heroin, 17 thousand homicides. Violent crime is out of control,” he said. He vowed that anyone who harmed American citizens would face the full wrath of the Department of Justice and the FBI, warning that a massive manhunt would be launched for those who attempted to hide.
Patel also took aim at the media, alleging that “fake, malicious, slanderous, and defamatory” content had been written about him. “I know the media is in here. If you have a target, that target is right here,” he stated, adding that the FBI agents deserve better treatment and should not be dragged into the media’s attacks on him.
Support from President Trump and Others
President Donald Trump expressed his strong support for Patel, calling him a “tough, strong” individual who had earned the respect of FBI agents. Trump noted, “One of the reasons I love Kash is because of the respect the agents had for him. He will go down as the best ever at that position.” He further mentioned that Patel’s confirmation was “very easy to get approved,” and that he had made a big impression on people like Trey Gowdy, who praised Patel as an incredible person.
The White House’s Endorsement
Earlier in the week, the White House celebrated Patel’s confirmation, highlighting its importance in fulfilling President Trump’s agenda to restore integrity and uphold the rule of law. A post on X (formerly Twitter) read, “@FBIDirectorKash Patel’s confirmation as FBI Director is a crucial step in executing President Trump’s agenda to restore integrity and uphold the rule of law.” The statement emphasized that the FBI would now refocus on its core mission: “enforcing justice fairly and without bias.”
Patel’s Commitment to Public Trust
Following his confirmation, Patel expressed his gratitude to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi for their support. He also reiterated his vow to restore public trust in the FBI and to rebuild the agency into one that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice.
A Moment of Pride for Bhadran Village
After the ceremony, Kash Patel paid his respects at the Wall of Honor, honoring the brave members of the FBI who made the ultimate sacrifice for the American people. Meanwhile, in Patel’s ancestral village of Bhadran in Anand district, Gujarat, his distant relative, Yash Patel, expressed pride at his achievement. “It is a matter of pride that a jewel of Bhadran village became FBI Director,” Yash Patel said, sharing the joy of the entire village.
