Try as they might, Democrats just can't stop Donald Trump's momentum.
Breitbart is confirming that Kash Patel has been "confirmed to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in a 51-49 Senate vote Thursday, despite Democrats’ desperate attempts to block his nomination."
Patel is a former federal prosecutor and prior Trump administration intelligence official. He didn't even need the votes of Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who joined the Democrats in voting against him.
Mitch McConnell voted "yes" on Patel after previously siding against Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr., but it wouldn't have mattered anyway. In the event of a 50-50 tie, JD Vance would have been tasked with breaking the deadlock.
Republicans currently hold a 53-47 lead in the Senate, a margin that has helped Donald Trump's confirmation train keep rolling.
Prior to the final vote, the Senate went 51-47 to advance his nomination, with Republican John Boozman and Democrat John Fetterman missing the vote.
Donald Trump has been enthusiastic in his support for Patel, and he didn't wait long after winning the November election to nominate him.
Trump called Patel a "brilliant lawyer, investigator, and ‘America First’ fighter who has spent his career exposing corruption, defending Justice, and protecting the American People."
"He played a pivotal role in uncovering the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, standing as an advocate for truth, accountability, and the Constitution," Trump wrote on social media. "Kash did an incredible job during my First Term, where he served as Chief of Staff at the Department of Defense, Deputy Director of National Intelligence, and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. Kash has also tried over 60 jury trials."
Just because Kash Patel ultimately won the position does not mean that he was not without opposition.
On February 4, Ranking Member Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, wrote a letter calling the nomination of Patel "dangerous."
According to Breitbart, "The letter was also signed by Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA)."
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, declined Durbin's request to hold an additional hearing on Patel before his confirmation vote.
Kash Patel "has provided ample opportunity for this Committee to scrutinize his record," Grassley wrote. "None of the issues raised in [the Democrats’] letter justify delay."
Are you happy that Kash Patel has been confirmed to lead America's FBI?
