Washington: Kash Patel took oath as the ninth director of the FBI on the Bhagavad Gita and spoke about how a first-generation Indian kid is living the American dream, reflecting on his heritage. The US Senate voted 51 to 49 to confirm Patel last week.
Patel's family members and girlfriend were present during the oath ceremony. The oath ceremony was administered by US attorney general Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus. She asked Patel to place his hand on the Gita and raise his right hand to take the oath. “I am living the American dream. Anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, just look right here. You’re talking to a first-generation Indian kid who’s about to lead the law enforcement community, the greatest nation on God's green earth. That can’t happen anywhere else,” Patel, 44, said. New York-born Patel has his roots in Gujarat.
However, his parents are from East Africa his mother is from Tanzania and his father is from Uganda.
Kash Patel to get another responsibility
Meanwhile, Kash Patel is expected to be named the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, a Justice Department official said.
Patel could be sworn in next week, the official said, putting Patel in charge of two of the Justice Department's largest agencies in an unusual arrangement that raises questions about the future of the bureau that has long drawn the ire of conservatives.
ATF is a separate agency with about 5,500 employees and is responsible for enforcing the nation's laws around firearms, explosives and arson. Among other things, it's in charge of licensing federal firearms dealers, tracing guns used in crimes and analysing intelligence in shooting investigations.
Earlier, Kash Patel has been confirmed as the next director of the FBI following a razor-thin 51-49 Senate vote on February 20. Despite the Republican-majority chamber, Patel’s path to confirmation was contentious. GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins broke ranks to vote against him. However, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell cast a decisive vote in his favor.
Following his confirmation, Patel expressed his gratitude and commitment to restoring the FBI’s credibility. “The American people deserve an FBI that is transparent, accountable, and committed to justice. The politicisation of our justice system has eroded public trust - but that ends today,” he posted. Pledging to rebuild the agency’s reputation, he added, “To those who seek to harm Americans - consider this your warning. We will hunt you down in every corner of this planet. Mission First. America Always. Let’s get to work.”
