Trump's FBI Pick Advances, Gains Key GOP Backing

President Donald Trump’s nominees continue to move forward, despite opposition efforts from Democrats.

On Tuesday night, the Senate voted along party lines to move forward with Kash Patel’s nomination to lead the FBI, replacing Christopher Wray.

The 48-45 vote was largely expected, but Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy—one of the undecided lawmakers—confirmed his support for advancing Patel’s nomination, as reported by The Hill.

“I’ve spoken to multiple people I respect about Kash Patel this weekend—both for and against,” Cassidy stated.

“The ones who worked closely with Kash vouched for him. I will vote for his confirmation.”

Cassidy’s decision and the vote itself set “the stage for a final confirmation vote on one of Trump’s most controversial nominees later this week,” according to Reuters.

Patel, a former federal prosecutor with experience in national security roles during Trump’s first term, was viewed by Democrats as one of the more vulnerable picks.

Criticism focused on his past statements and concerns over his outspoken opposition to the FBI’s handling of investigations into Trump during Joe Biden’s presidency. Opponents warned that his appointment could trigger a “purge” of officials linked to those investigations.

However, Patel assured lawmakers during his testimony that there would be no retaliation against officials solely for their involvement in past probes. Instead, he emphasized a thorough review process.

“I think if anyone commits a wrong in government service, the American public deserve to know every absolute detail of that corrupt activity,” Patel stated.

Politico reported that after Patel’s initial Senate Judiciary Committee hearing failed to produce a decisive blow—similar to other nominees like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—Democrats pushed for a second hearing.

The follow-up hearing, according to Politico, was meant to scrutinize Patel’s involvement in former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s handling of classified material.

“In order to discharge our constitutional duty, we must have a full and accurate understanding of Mr. Patel’s record,” Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote to Chair Chuck Grassley.

“The Committee must fulfill its responsibility to the American people and the 38,000 employees of the FBI nationwide to ensure that a Director confirmed by the Senate possesses the requisite characteristics of truthfulness, trustworthiness, and regard for the protection of classified information befitting of the FBI.”

Despite this, the Judiciary Committee proceeded with a 12-10 vote in favor of Patel’s nomination.

Several senators abstained from voting, and Patel still requires 50 votes for confirmation to a 10-year term as FBI director.

Two moderate Republicans—Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—have yet to declare their stance, The Hill reported. Additionally, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has opposed other high-profile nominees, has not made his position on Patel public.

Cassidy was seen as the most probable Republican to defect and block Patel’s confirmation.

With his backing, it appears the final cabinet-level nominee facing strong opposition from The Resistance 2.0 is on a clear path to confirmation. The decisive vote is expected later this week.