Kash Patel Sworn In as FBI Director: Takes Oath on Bhagavad Gita
Kash Patel made history as he was sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In a unique and symbolic moment, Patel placed his hand on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, during the oath ceremony. The event took place in the Indian Treaty Room of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) on the White House campus, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi administering the oath. This marks a significant milestone as Patel, an Indian-American, steps into one of America’s most powerful law enforcement roles.
U.S. President Donald Trump couldn’t hide his excitement about Patel’s appointment. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “One of the reasons I love Kash and wanted to put him in is because of the respect the agents had for him.” He went further, predicting that Patel “will go down as the best ever at that position.” Trump also highlighted how smoothly Patel’s confirmation went, calling him “a tough and strong guy” with clear opinions. He credited a strong endorsement from Trey Gowdy, a respected moderate, for sealing the deal with lawmakers.
Patel’s rise to the top of the FBI has been closely watched. Born to Gujarati parents in New York, he brings a fresh perspective to the role. After his swearing-in, Patel spoke about living the “American dream,” proudly noting that a first-generation Indian is now leading the nation’s premier law enforcement agency.
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Patel’s journey to the FBI director’s office wasn’t without drama. On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed his nomination in a tight 51-49 vote. While most Republicans backed Trump’s pick, two GOP senators—Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—joined Democrats in voting against him. The narrow victory reflects the controversy surrounding Patel, a known Trump ally and a vocal critic of the FBI in the past.
Democrats raised alarms about Patel’s close ties to Trump. Senator Adam Schiff warned, “The FBI shouldn’t serve as Donald Trump’s army.” Many fear that Patel’s leadership could blur the lines between politics and law enforcement, threatening the agency’s independence.
Kash Patel is no stranger to high-stakes roles. Before this appointment, he worked as a counterterrorism prosecutor and served as chief of staff to the defense secretary. His career also includes time as a congressional aide and a national security advisor. However, Patel has often criticized the FBI, calling it part of a so-called “deep state” in his 2023 book, Government Gangsters. This history has fueled debates about whether he’s the right person to lead the agency.
Despite the concerns, Patel is determined to prove his critics wrong. After his confirmation, he released a statement saying, “My mission as Director is clear: let good cops be cops – and rebuild trust in the FBI.” He has pledged to make the agency transparent and accountable while focusing on its core mission of fighting crime and protecting Americans.
