President Donald Trump‘s decide to run the FBI, Kash Patel, was confirmed in February 2025.
It was later revealed that Patel had additionally served as performing director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), an company beneath the Department of Justice. The twin position was extremely uncommon, and information of his elimination from the ATF put up on April 9—with none public rationalization—caught many without warning.
However, White House spokesman Harrison Fields clarified in an announcement: “Director Kash Patel was briefly designated ATF Director while awaiting Senate confirmations — a standard, short-term move.” Patel was changed by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, who will now serve in each roles concurrently.
Learn extra about Patel beneath.
Who Is Kash Patel?
Patel, the son of Indian immigrants, is a former public defender who rose by way of senior nationwide safety roles throughout Trump’s first time period. In 2018, he served as an aide to Rep. Devin Nunes, the highest Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, the place he gained Trump’s favor throughout the Russia investigation. Trump praised Patel for this in his social media put up, stating he “played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution.” In 2019, Patel joined the National Security Council earlier than changing into chief of workers to the performing protection secretary within the last yr of Trump’s first time period.
Since then, Patel has been a vocal Trump supporter, selling the false declare that the 2020 election was “stolen” and pushing the baseless “deep state” conspiracy principle. He has alleged that federal officers sought to undermine the president and referred to as for changing “anti-democratic” civil servants in legislation enforcement and intelligence with “patriots” loyal to the American individuals. In his 2023 memoir, Government Gangsters, Patel described the political local weather as a “battle between the people and a corrupt ruling class,” branding the “Deep State” as an unelected cabal bent on controlling the presidency and dictating what Americans can know. In addition to his memoir, Patel has revealed two pro-Trump youngsters’s books.
In November 2024, Trump nominated Patel, a loyalist, to function the following Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a collection of controversial Cabinet nominations which have largely been accredited.
“I am proud to announce that Kashyap ‘Kash’ Patel will serve as the next Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” Trump posted on Truth Social when asserting his nominee. “Kash is a brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People.”
What Is Kash Patel’s Net Worth?
Patel’s internet price is now an estimated $5 million, in accordance with Celebrity Net Worth, a big enhance from the beforehand reported $800,000.
A current monetary disclosure additionally revealed that he earned no less than $2.6 million over the previous yr alone. The main supply of his earnings—over $2.1 million—was nationwide safety, protection, and intelligence consulting by way of his agency, Trishul LLC. Trishul LLC’s shoppers embody Trump Media & Technology Group, the Embassy of Qatar, and Czech monetary companies firm CSGM. Since 2022, Patel has served on the board of Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns Truth Social, and likewise holds a consulting contract reportedly price no less than $120,000 yearly.
Patel additionally earned between $145,000 and $1.2 million from his ebook offers.
Is Kash Patel Married?
Patel will not be married however is presently courting nation singer and Republican press secretary Alexis Wilkins.
In 2014, in accordance with The New York Times, Patel participated in an Above the Law charity bachelor public sale benefiting the Switchboard of Miami however later dropped out after a blogger identified that his legislation license seemed to be outdated within the state.
Does Kash Patel Have Kids?
Patel doesn’t have any youngsters.
Who Was the Previous Director of the FBI?
Christopher Wray was the FBI Director earlier than Patel, having been appointed by Trump in 2017. However, Wray shortly misplaced favor with the president and his allies earlier than Trump left workplace in 2021.
While the FBI director place usually carries a 10-year time period, Wray’s elimination had been broadly anticipated attributable to Trump’s ongoing public criticism of him and the FBI, particularly following the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property for categorized paperwork and two investigations that led to his indictment.
On February 20, Patel was narrowly confirmed with a 51-49 vote. Wray had gained affirmation in 2017 with 92 votes.