WATCH | Kash Patel sworn in as FBI director, takes oath on Bhagavad Gita

Indian-origin Kash Patel took the oath as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday, after being confirmed by the Senate in a tight vote.

Patel took the oath by placing his hand on the Bhagavad Gita. The ceremony was administered by US Attorney General Pam Bondi in the Indian Treaty Room of the White House campus in Washington.

After being sworn in, Patel said, “I am living the American dream, and anyone who thinks the American dream is dead, look right here. You’re talking to a first-generation Indian who is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth. That can’t happen anywhere else.”

Patel emphasised that there would be accountability within the FBI and outside of it.

Trump’s praise for Kash

US President Donald Trump also praised Patel’s appointment and highlighted his popularity among agents.

“One of the reasons I love Kash and wanted to put him in is because of the respect the agents had for him,” Trump said.

“He will go down as the best ever at that position. Turned out he was very easy to get approved. He is a tough and strong guy. He has his opinions. Trey Gowdy came out with an incredible statement and said that Kash is an incredible person and people don’t realise it,” Trump added.

Senate approves Kash in a tight vote

Patel was confirmed by the Senate in a tight 51-49 vote. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, opposed Patel’s appointment, as the vote was split along party lines.

Born to Indian immigrants

Kash Patel is a lawyer born in New York’s Garden City to Indian immigrant parents, who migrated to US from the Indian state of Gujarat. He worked in the US government during Trump’s first term, serving as a senior aide on the House Intelligence Committee.