Executive Summary
On 20 February 2025, the US Senate confirmed Kashyap (Kash) P. Patel as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This marks a pivotal moment for US law enforcement and domestic intelligence. We assess that his new role will put Patel under increased scrutiny over his perceived loyalty to Trump, his past support for conspiracy theories, and his conflicts of interest.
That said, the FBI’s strategic targets are unlikely to shift. However, we expect the Bureau to undergo reforms in line with President Trump’s goal of decreasing the size of the federal government. Critics point towards Patel’s lack of experience in leading a major law enforcement or intelligence agency. They express concern about his past comments about retributions against political opponents and fear a pro-Trump politicisation of the FBI. His supporters hope that Patel will reform the FBI to promote higher transparency, and accountability, and increase public trust in federal law enforcement.
The Senate confirmed Patel in a narrow 51-49 vote, highlighting the deep partisan division surrounding his appointment. As Patel assumes his office, his ability to balance reforms with the need for agency independence will be crucial.
For this report, we spoke with a recently retired senior FBI official. Our source had a long career in the FBI over multiple decades.
(We note that Patel was also appointed as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This happened after the dismissal of the previous director due to the alleged “targeting” of gun owners. This may facilitate the consolidation of overlapping FBI and ATF responsibilities. However, his ATF appointment falls outside the scope of this particular report.) [source, source, source]
Images Sourced From: ajay_suresh, Gage Skidmore, U.S. Secretary of Defense
Profile
Education and Professional Background [source, source, source]
- Education: Kash Patel graduated from the University of Richmond in 2002 with a BA in History and Criminal Justice. He earned a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law in 2005. Also, he received a Certificate in International Law from University College London in 2004.
- Professional career: Patel began as a public defender in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Later, he became a terrorism prosecutor in the US Department of Justice. He served as senior counsel on counterterrorism for the House Intelligence Committee.
- National security roles: Patel held positions at the National Security Council and as Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense during Trump’s first term.
Important Relationships [source, source]
- Family: Born to Indian Gujarati immigrant parents, Pramod and Anjana Patel, who fled Uganda due to anti-Asian policies.
- Professional ties: Close association with Rep. Devin Nunes and President Donald Trump, whom he supported during the Russia investigation.
- Personal life: Currently in a relationship with Alexis Wilkins, a conservative political activist.
Standout Attributes and Personality [source, source, source, source]
- Political affiliation: Member of the Republican Party.
- Religious affiliation: Raised in the Hindu faith.
- Attributes: Known for his strong support of Trump and his role in challenging the FBI’s surveillance methods.
- Net worth: estimated to be around USD $5 million.
- Hobbies: Lifelong ice hockey player, coach, and fan.
