Indian-American Kash Patel, currently Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has recently been in the spotlight after congressional hearings in which he was accused of shielding the rich and famous and dodging questions about Jeffrey Epstein and US President Donald Trump.
Patel cited legal constraints for not releasing additional documents and avoided questions about whether he informed former Attorney General Pam Bondi or would meet Epstein’s victims. Democrats criticised his evasiveness, while Republicans dismissed their questions as political posturing, noting Epstein was largely ignored under previous administrations. Epstein, arrested during Trump’s first term, died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial, and the Trump administration faced criticism for not releasing all government-held evidence related to his activities.
The controversy intensified after a photo of Patel shaking hands with Pakistani Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir went viral, drawing strong reactions from Indians and the diaspora online. Patel’s rise reflects the growing influence of Indian-Americans in US national security and politics. A lawyer and former federal prosecutor, he first came to Trump’s attention in 2017 as senior counsel on the House Intelligence Committee. He later served as a key national security aide and chief of staff to the acting Secretary of Defense. A staunch Trump ally, Patel has authored a memoir, two pro-Trump children’s books, and sits on the board of Trump Media & Technology Group, which runs the Truth Social platform.
FBI Chief’s path guided by Hindu values
Kash Patel has consistently embraced his Hindu heritage. When he was sworn in as FBI Director, he took the oath on the Bhagavad Gita rather than the Bible, administered by Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Patel’s girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, held the scripture as his family looked on.
Reflecting on the moment, Patel called it a symbol of the American dream, saying, “A first-generation Indian is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth. That can’t happen anywhere else.” During his Senate confirmation hearing, he greeted his parents with “Jai Shri Krishna” and bowed to touch their feet, expressing gratitude for their journey from India to attend.
Patel also shared experiences of racism, recalling a deeply offensive slur he had received. He acknowledged the incident to the Senate Judiciary Committee, noting that while painful, it was nothing compared to the challenges faced daily by law enforcement officers.
A few months ago, Patel shared a viral article on social media highlighting how his Hindu upbringing shaped his leadership style. Published by India Tribune under the title “FBI Director Kash Patel: A Hindu Warrior in Washington’s Political Battlefield,” the piece resonated strongly with Indian-American and pro-MAGA audiences.
The article traces Patel’s family history: his father, Pramod Patel, fled Uganda in 1972 during Idi Amin’s rule, spent time in India, and eventually settled in the US, while his mother, Anjana Patel, originally from Tanzania, also moved to New York. Raised in a traditional Hindu household, Patel grew up immersed in its customs, festivals, and ethical teachings. He credits these values, dharma (righteous duty), karma (accountable action), and seva (selfless service), with shaping both his personal outlook and professional approach.
His India connection
Patel shared that his father fled Uganda during Idi Amin’s brutal regime, which claimed the lives of 300,000 people targeted for their ethnicity. His mother, originally from Tanzania, studied in India, as did his father, and the couple married there before immigrating to New York, where Patel was born. He recalled growing up in a large household with his father’s seven siblings, their spouses, and several cousins. “That’s the only way we knew how to do things at the time, in the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Indian way, but we would soon learn the American way,” he said.
According to his Department of Defense profile, Patel completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond before returning to New York for a law degree. He also earned a certificate in International Law from University College London’s Faculty of Laws.
Patel’s family roots trace back to Bhadran, a village in Gujarat’s Anand district, from which his ancestors migrated to Uganda some 70–80 years ago. Home to around 13,000 people, Bhadran has consistently nurtured talent across politics, business, media, spirituality, and philanthropy. Among its notable figures is Pankaj Patel of Zydus, one of India’s
wealthiest Patels, while abroad, CB Patel, also from Bhadran, runs leading Gujarati/English news weeklies in the UK. The village is also known as the birthplace of Dada Bhagwan and several other revered spiritual leaders.
Rising Indian-American political presence
Indian- Americans, long celebrated for shaping the US tech landscape, are now making a significant impact in politics as well. From holding key elected offices to influencing policy and civic engagement, this growing community is expanding its presence beyond Silicon Valley, bringing expertise, networks, and diverse perspectives to the national political stage.
During the 2024 presidential cycle, Indian American candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy made notable strides. Ramaswamy, born in Cincinnati to Indian immigrant parents, became the youngest Republican presidential candidate before withdrawing and endorsing Donald Trump. He later launched his campaign for Ohio governor in 2026, securing endorsements from both Trump and the Ohio Republican Party. Haley, former governor of South Carolina and US ambassador to the United Nations, announced her presidential bid in February 2023. She became the first female Republican candidate to win a presidential primary and the second woman of colour to claim a major party nominating contest, before suspending her campaign in March 2024 and later joining the Hudson Institute as the Walter P Stern Chair.