Kash Patel confirmation vote: Susan Collins says it’s a ‘no’ from her as FBI director should be apolitical

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she would vote against the confirmation of Kash Patel as the FBI director citing his past comments which, as the Republican senator said, did not suit an FBI director. In the context of prosecutors resigning after facing pressure on how to handle certain cases and FBI agents facing firing over their work on Capitol Riots cases, Collins said the FBI director should be apolitical.
“In this context, there is a compelling need for an FBI Director who is decidedly apolitical. While Mr. Patel has had 16 years of dedicated public service, his time over the past four years has been characterized by high profile and aggressive political activity. Mr Patel has made numerous poltically chargea statements in his book and elsewhere discrediting the work of the FBI, the very institution he has been nominated to lead. These statements, in conjunction with the questionnaire sent to thousands of FBI employees, cast doubt on Mr. Patel’s ability to advance the FBI’s law enforcement mission in a way that is free from the appearance of political motivation,” Collins said in her statement.
“While I strongly support efforts to ensure all federal employees perform their responsibilities ethically and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of Director of the FBI.”
“Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.”
Republican Mitch McConnel who voted against all Trump picks including Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr, is likely to vote against Kash. After Susan Collins’ announcement, now all eyes are on Lisa Murkowski to see whether she also turns against Kash. The voting will turn crucial if more than three Republican senators vote against him. Otherwise, he is likely to get confirmed as teh FBI director today — a post that he’s supposed to serve for the next 10 years.