Susan Collins to Vote Against Kash Patel, Warns Of Him Seeking Retribution At The FBI

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Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced on Thursday that she will vote against Kash Patel to lead the FBI. Collins argued that Patel’s “recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of Director of the FBI.”

“The nomination of Kash Patel to serve as Director of the FBI comes to the Senate against the backdrop of recent personnel actions at the Department of Justice, including the resignations of several career federal prosecutors who felt they were being instructed to act in a manner inconsistent with their ethical obligations,” Collins wrote in her statement, adding:

In addition, a questionnaire has been sent to thousands of FBI employees regarding their involvement in certain investigations. As I have stated previously, these initiatives raise the specter that adverse actions could be taken against FBI employees – including special agents in the field – who have dedicated their careers to public service and who do not choose their assignments. It is critical that any efforts to promote accountability at the FBI be carefully calibrated and not have the effect of driving away dedicated public servants who keep our country and communities safe.

The FBI director is not meant to be replaced as new administrations take power, which is why the role’s term does not coincide with presidential elections. However, Trump’s heavy criticism of Director Christoper Wray, who Trump appointed and President Joe Biden kept, led to Wray resigning ahead of Trump taking office.

Patel is likely to still be confirmed by the Senate later on Thursday. He secured the support of Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) on Tuesday, who was considered a key swing vote. “I’ve spoken to multiple people I respect about Kash Patel this weekend—both for and against. The ones who worked closely with Kash vouched for him. I will vote for his confirmation,” Cassidy said in a statement.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), another key swing vote, has yet to say whether or not she will vote for Patel. However, another Republican senator would also need to oppose Patel in order for his nomination to fail, as Vice President JD Vance would be able to break a tie if three Republicans and all the Democrats vote against him.

Senate Democrats pulled no punches in hammering Patel during his hearing. The Democrats on the Judiciary Committee released a statement warning, “With Kash Patel, President Trump found someone who will use the FBI to target his enemies—and not the enemies of our nation. Kash Patel has published an enemies list of 60 people he calls “members of the deep state,” all of whom are public servants—both Democrats and Republicans. He has even said he plans to “shut down the FBI Hoover Building on Day 1 and reopen it the next day as a museum of the “deep state” and to target journalists and media professionals.”

The statement also quoted former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr saying, “I categorically opposed making Patel deputy FBI director. I [said] it would happen ‘over my dead body.’ … Patel had virtually no experience that would qualify him to serve at the highest level of the world’s preeminent law enforcement agency.”

This is a developing story and has been updated.