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Washington, USA – The United States Senate has confirmed 44-year-old Kesh Patel as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) with a narrow majority of 51 to 49 votes. The decision was made despite fierce Democratic opposition, AFP reports.
Kesh Patel, known for his loyalty to former President Donald Trump, had repeatedly stated his intention to prosecute Trump’s opponents before his appointment. According to the AP, his rhetoric has caused concern among Democratic Party members, who see it as a potential threat to the political balance in the country.
The FBI crisis and the political consequences
Patel’s appointment comes amid a deep crisis at the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Department of Justice, now headed by Donald Trump’s former lawyer Pam Bondi, has fired a number of senior FBI officials over the past month. In particular, the agency demanded that the names of thousands of agents involved in the investigation of the storming of the Capitol on 6 January 2021 be made public.
These actions caused outrage among Democrats. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin called Patel’s appointment a “national security disaster”. “He openly declares his intention to turn the country’s main law enforcement agency into an instrument of political revenge,” Durbin said at a press conference.
What do you know about Kesh Patel?
Kesh Patel is a lawyer and political adviser who has gained prominence as a close ally of Donald Trump. He has played a key role in several scandalous investigations during Trump’s presidency, including those related to Russian interference in the 2016 election.
His supporters argue that Patel will be able to “cleanse” the FBI of political bias, while critics warn of the risks of turning the bureau into a “tool for persecuting” political opponents.
What’s next?
The appointment of Kesh Patel could dramatically change the direction of the FBI. Given his previous statements and the support of Republicans, experts predict tougher measures against former President Trump’s opponents.
At the same time, Democrats are preparing to challenge certain decisions of the new FBI chief in the courts, fearing the politicisation of one of the country’s most important law enforcement agencies.
