Kash Patel Sworn In As FBI Director On Bhagavad Gita

Indian-American Kash Patel has officially assumed office as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director. Patel was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi during a ceremony at the White House on Friday (US time). Significantly, Patel swore in on the Bhagavad Gita, a symbol of his Indian heritage.

Sworn In With Family By His Side

Kash Patel's girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, and the rest of his family members attended the ceremony. Wilkins held the Bhagavad Gita as Patel held his hand over it and swore the oath. After the swearing of the oath, Patel swore to be answerable within and beyond the FBI.

First Major Decision as FBI Director

In a matter of days after assuming office, Patel made a statement. He announced that 1,000 employees of the FBI headquarters would be relocated to field offices across the country. In addition, 500 employees would be relocated to the Huntsville, Alabama, office.

Trump's Support and Senate Approval

US President Donald Trump has nominated a number of Indian-origin officials to important posts. Trump loyalist Kash Patel was shortlisted to become the FBI Director. His nomination was confirmed by the US Senate on Thursday in a tight 51-49 vote. Patel was then the 9th FBI Director.

Background and Life of Kash Patel

Kash Patel's parents were born in Gujarat, India. His parents spent their childhoods in East Africa but moved to the United States because of political turmoil brought by Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. Patel was born in 1980 in Garden City, New York. He studied at the University of Richmond and then earned a law degree at University College London. He struggled in the initial years to secure employment in a law firm but began his career as a public defender in Miami before he moved to the Justice Department.

Thereafter, Patel was a member of the House of Representatives Committee on Intelligence, wherein he helped conduct the investigation on Russian interference during the 2016 elections. His efforts gained the attention of Donald Trump, which ultimately facilitated his rise to prominence in the US political system.