The U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as FBI director in a 51-49 vote on Thursday, placing a Trump loyalist at the helm of the agency despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and past remarks.
🔹 The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Patel with Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) breaking ranks to oppose his nomination.
🔹 Democrats expressed concerns about Patel’s lack of management experience and past comments, which they argued could compromise the agency’s integrity.
🔹 Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called Patel "the worst choice" for the role, while Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) warned that confirming him would "haunt those who voted for him."
🔹 Patel has pledged to reduce the FBI’s presence in Washington, shifting the focus away from intelligence and national security toward traditional law enforcement duties.
🔹 He has been critical of past FBI investigations into Trump, previously referring to law enforcement officials involved as "criminal gangsters."
🔹 Patel also stated before his nomination that he would “come after” those in government and the media whom he believed conspired against Trump.
🔹 Republicans welcomed Patel’s confirmation, with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) saying he would restore accountability to the FBI.
🔹 Democrats protested his appointment, with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) saying Patel “lacks the integrity to do this job.”
🔹 A group of Senate Democrats gathered outside FBI headquarters before the vote in a last attempt to block his confirmation.
🔹 Patel replaces Christopher Wray, who resigned before Trump took office after serving for more than seven years.
🔹 The FBI has been in turmoil in recent months, with the Justice Department pushing out senior officials and demanding the names of agents involved in the January 6 investigations.
🔹 Patel denied involvement in any firings but Democrats have raised concerns about his potential role in the removal of FBI personnel linked to Trump-related investigations.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 2nd of January, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Democrat Zohran Mamdani officially took office as New York City’s mayor on Thursday, beginning his term with a public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of targeting civilians during New Year attacks, as intensified fighting coincided with U.S.-led efforts to push both sides towards ending the nearly four-year war.
Dozens of people are feared dead and around 100 others injured after an explosion tore through a crowded bar during New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, authorities said.
At least 47 people were killed and 112 injured after a fire broke out at a crowded bar in the Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s Eve celebrations, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told Italian media on Thursday.
India has approved a major arms deal with Israel valued at approximately $8.7 billion, highlighting the deepening defence partnership between the two countries.
Russian athletes will not be allowed to represent their country at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an interview with an Italian newspaper.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
The United Nations on Friday voiced serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan, warning that rising violence is increasingly affecting civilians.
Ukrainian officials reported on Friday that thousands of children and their parents were evacuated from frontline areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions as Russian forces continued to advance.
Yemen’s southern separatists have announced plans to hold a referendum on independence from the north within two years, a move likely to further escalate tensions as Saudi-backed government forces seek to retake territory seized by the group last month.
A 6.5-magnitude earthquake has struck the southern state of Guerrero in Mexico.
Suhail Shaheen, Afghanistan’s ambassador in Doha, has again urged the United Nations to transfer Afghanistan’s seat at the UN to the Taliban-led administration, arguing the current arrangement no longer reflects realities in the country.
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