Trump loyalist Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director by the Senate despite deep Democratic doubts

Patel, who is of Indian origin, got 51 votes in his favour while 49 senators voted against him. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined all 47 Democrats in voting no on Patel’s nomination.

Patel’s critics have warned that he, a staunch Republican, could use the agency to target the President's perceived political enemies.

FBI directors serve 10-year terms but can be removed by the president. Chris Wray, appointed in 2017, resigned at the end of former US President Joe Biden's term after President Donald Trump pledged to fire him, CBS News reported.