Senate Confirms Kash Patel as FBI Director – RINOs Murkowski, Collins Vote “NO” – McConnell Votes “YES”

Senate Confirms Kash Patel as FBI Director – RINOs Murkowski, Collins Vote “NO” – McConnell Votes “YES”

Here are the known facts regarding the Senate confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI Director, based on available information as of February 20, 2025:

The U.S. Senate confirmed Kash Patel as the next FBI Director on February 20, 2025, with a vote of 51-49.

In Favor (YES): 51 Senators voted to confirm Patel. This included most Republican Senators, notably Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who voted "YES."

Opposed (NO): 49 Senators voted against Patel’s confirmation. This included all 47 Democratic Senators plus two Republican Senators: Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME), who both voted "NO."

Mitch McConnell: Despite his historically strained relationship with President Donald Trump and previous opposition to some Trump nominees, McConnell voted in favor of Patel’s confirmation.

Lisa Murkowski: Murkowski opposed Patel, citing concerns over his prior political activities and their potential influence on his leadership of the FBI. She expressed disappointment in his failure to resist the Trump administration’s push for a list of FBI agents involved in January 6 investigations.

Susan Collins: Collins also voted against Patel, emphasizing the need for an FBI Director who is "decidedly apolitical." She pointed to Patel’s politically charged statements and actions, including criticism of the FBI, as reasons for her opposition.

Republicans held a majority in the Senate, enabling Patel’s confirmation despite the opposition from Murkowski, Collins, and all Democrats. A maximum of three Republican "NO" votes could have been tolerated without defeating the nomination, assuming no Democratic support.

The Senate Judiciary Committee had previously advanced Patel’s nomination on February 13, 2025, with a party-line vote of 12-10.

A procedural vote to overcome a filibuster occurred earlier, passing 51-47, setting the stage for the final confirmation vote on February 20, 2025.

The final confirmation vote began at approximately 1:58 PM ET (Eastern Time), as reported by some sources, aligning with the timeline of events on February 20, 2025.

Kash Patel, a staunch Trump loyalist, has been a controversial figure due to his criticism of the FBI and the so-called "Deep State," as well as his vocal support for Trump’s agenda. His nomination followed Trump’s pledge to replace former FBI Director Chris Wray, who resigned at the end of the Biden administration.

On the same day, Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek re-election in 2026, marking the end of his long Senate career. This announcement may have influenced perceptions of his vote, though no direct evidence ties the two decisions.

These facts reflect the culmination of a contentious confirmation process, highlighting divisions within the Republican Party and unified Democratic opposition. The confirmation of Patel as FBI Director marks a significant shift in leadership for the agency under the incoming Trump administration.