Kash Patel Sworn In as FBI Director: 'You're Talking to a First-Generation Indian Kid' (February 21, 2025)

Kash Patel took the oath as the ninth director of the FBI with a message about the country that made it possible. “I am living the American dream,” Patel said after he was sworn in on Feb. 21, 2025, Fox News reported. “And anyone that thinks the American dream is dead, just look right here. You’re talking to a first-generation Indian kid who’s about to lead the law enforcement community of the greatest nation on God’s green earth. That can’t happen anywhere else.” [1]

“There will be accountability within the FBI and outside of the FBI, and we will do it through rigorous constitutional oversight starting this weekend,” Patel said [1].

The video above shows Patel’s swearing-in on Feb. 21, 2025. Quotes are from Fox News and the American Presidency Project [1][2][3][4].

In the Indian Treaty Room

Attorney General Pam Bondi swore Patel in at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, a day after the Senate confirmed him in a narrow vote to succeed Christopher Wray, Fox News reported [1].

The White House pool reporter was in the room, the Indian Treaty Room. “Attorney General Pam Bondi and Kash Patel entered at 4:51 p.m. to applause from a crowd of about seven dozen people. The oath of office began at 4:52 p.m. and ended at 4:53 p.m.,” the pool report said [2].

“Patel’s girlfriend and family stood beside him as he recited the oath, and other family members were seated in the front row,” the report said [2].

“Also spotted in the room: Senator Tommy Tuberville, Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Jim Jordan, special missions envoy Richard Grenell and NSC counterterrorism senior director Sebastian Gorka,” it said [2].

”The First Person of Color”

The confirmation made history. “Patel, who is Indian American, is the first person of color to become FBI director,” Fox News reported [1].

Fox noted his record. “He previously engaged in personally carrying out dangerous missions in the Middle East in an effort to bring home U.S. hostages and also implemented counterterrorism strategies against America’s most-wanted terrorists,” the report said [1].

“Patel previously served as deputy assistant to the president and as senior director for counterterrorism in the first Trump administration, wherein he worked on presidential missions aimed at decimating al Qaeda senior leadership and ISIS command and control,” Fox News reported. “Patel was also involved in planning the mission to take out Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, among others.” [1]

“Current and former U.S. national security officials and lawmakers told Fox News Digital previously that he, ‘objectively,’ is ‘one of the most experienced people ever to be nominated’ to lead the bureau,” the report said [1].

”We Expect Kash Patel to Be Confirmed”

The day before, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previewed the vote. “As of today, the Senate has already confirmed 18 Cabinet-level nominees, which is more than at this point under the Obama administration in 2009 and more than double the pace of the Biden administration in 2021. And today, we expect Kash Patel to be confirmed as the next director of the FBI,” she said at the Feb. 20 briefing [4].

”There Will Be No Politicization at the FBI”

He took over a bureau under fire. “Patel’s confirmation to head the office comes at a time when the FBI’s activities are under scrutiny for possible political motivation, including its own leadership and decisions,” Fox News reported [1].

“During his confirmation hearing last month, Patel vowed he would not engage in political retribution against agents who worked on the Trump classified documents case and other politically sensitive matters,” Fox News reported [1].

At his confirmation hearing, Patel had made a promise. “There will be no politicization at the FBI,” he said. “There will be no retributive action.” [1]

By the Numbers

9th: FBI director, succeeding Christopher Wray [1].
1 minute: the length of the oath, 4:52 to 4:53 p.m. [2].
About seven dozen: people in the room, per the pool [2].
1,900 kilograms: of fentanyl the FBI seized in 2025 through November, per Patel [3].
13: fentanyl precursors China listed, per Patel [3].

What Happened Next

Patel went to Beijing. On Nov. 12, 2025, he took the podium at the White House. “This was the first time an FBI director has been to China in over a decade and received the audience with his counterpart to address this matter directly,” Patel said [3].

“The People’s Republic of China has fully designated and listed all 13 precursors utilized to make fentanyl. Furthermore, they have agreed to control seven chemical subsidiaries that are also utilized to produce this lethal drug,” he said [3].

“Here this year, under this president, the FBI has seized 1,900 kilograms of fentanyl so far. That is a 31 percent increase from the same time period last year. To put it in perspective, that’s enough fentanyl to kill 127 million Americans,” Patel said [3].

“Effective immediately essentially, President Trump has shut off the pipeline that creates fentanyl that kills tens of thousands of Americans. These substances are now banned, and they will no longer be utilized by the Mexican drug trafficking organizations or any other DTOs around the world to make this drug,” Patel said [3].

“This historic achievement has saved tens of thousands of lives,” he said [3].

For Karoline Leavitt defending Patel’s deputy, Dan Bongino, four days later, see HYGO News’ page on Feb. 25, 2025. For Pam Bondi in the Oval Office on the MS-13 deportation case, see the page on April 14, 2025.