Kash Patel, an Indian-American, has been appointed as the new Director of the FBI. He took his oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita, placing his hand on the sacred text during a ceremony attended by his family and girlfriend. The event took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) within the White House complex. Patel’s girlfriend appeared visibly emotional during the ceremony.
During the oath-taking, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed Patel to raise his right hand and swear on the Bhagavad Gita. Patel expressed his pride in the moment, stating, “I am living the American dream. Anyone who thinks the American dream is dead should take a look at this.”
Former President Donald Trump praised Patel, stating that intelligence agents hold Patel in great esteem, and he believes that Patel will become one of the best individuals ever to serve in this role.
As Kash Patel assumes his position as FBI Director, the agency has also ordered significant staffing changes. The FBI announced plans to transfer 1,500 employees from its Washington headquarters. About 1,000 employees will be reassigned to regional offices across the United States, while another 500 will be transferred to Huntsville, Alabama. According to federal government data, the FBI had 9,414 employees in Washington as of June 2024, with a total of 37,478 employees nationwide.
This leadership shift under Patel is seen as part of the ongoing restructuring and evolution within the FBI as it adapts to new challenges and leadership dynamics.
