Who is Kash Patel? All you need to know about the new FBI director of the USA

Who is Kash Patel?: The new Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States is 44-year-old attorney and former federal prosecutor Kash Patel. Patel, who was born in New York to Indian immigrant parents, has a career in both national security and law.

During the previous Trump administration, he held positions as Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense, a public defender, and a terrorist prosecutor at the Department of Justice.

Patel has been an outspoken critic of the FBI's handling of some investigations and is well-known for his strong support of former President Donald Trump. His appointment as the first Indian-American to oversee the FBI has reached a significant milestone.

Kash Patel early life

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On February 25, 1980, Kash Patel was born to Gujarati parents in Garden City, New York. He eventually obtained a Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law after graduating from the University of Richmond.

After that, Patel started his legal career as a public defender, handling various matters in state and federal courts ranging from intricate financial crimes to murder and drug trafficking in jury trials.

Born and reared in the United States, Patel frequently discusses his Indian ancestry and how it has influenced his morals and professional path. Despite his close ancestry to India, his professional career has centered chiefly on US national security, intelligence, and law enforcement.

The 45-year-old Indian lawyer has served in several prominent roles, including senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council (NSC) and deputy assistant to the president.

Kash Patel education

He received his diploma from Long Island's Garden City High School. Before returning to New York to obtain his law degree and a diploma in International Law from the University College London Faculty of Laws in the United Kingdom, Mr. Patel finished his undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond, according to his Department of Defense profile.

Kash Patel career

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Legal Career: In state and federal courts, he handled cases including financial crimes, drug trafficking, and murder while working as a public defender.

Roles in National Security and Intelligence: Held several prominent posts in US government organizations, such as Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council (NSC) and Deputy Assistant to the President.

Principal Duties & Accomplishments: He was instrumental in operations against international terrorism. Al-Baghdadi and Qasem al-Rimi were among the leaders of Al-Qa'ida and ISIS that he spearheaded efforts to eradicate¡ªfacilitated the American captives' safe return.

Kash Patel¡¯s family

The recently appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, comes from a long line of Indian ancestry. Pramod and Anjana Patel, his parents, are Gujarati. Before their exodus in the early 1970s due to anti-Asian laws, they resided in Uganda.

Following a brief time in India, they relocated to Canada before settling in the US, where Kash was born in 1980 in Garden City, New York. Nisha is Kash's sister, and she lives in London. His sister and dad, who came from London and India to witness his Senate confirmation hearing, have both encouraged his career.

Kash was joined at the swearing-in ceremony by his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, a conservative political activist, and 26-year-old country music artist. The pair have been together since they first met in October 2022.

Kash Patel¡¯s oath to the new FBI director in USA

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In a ceremony held in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on February 21, 2025, Kash Patel took the oath of office as the ninth Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In keeping with his Indian ancestry, Patel took his oath on the Bhagavad Gita under the direction of US Attorney General Pam Bondi.

According to his speech, "I am living the American dream... a first-generation Indian is about to lead the law enforcement agency of the greatest nation on earth." He highlighted his experience as a first-generation Indian-American.

In response to questions about the FBI's moral character, Patel promised to respect the Constitution and maintain accountability inside the agency. A message was also sent to the media, in which he criticized "fake, malicious, slanderous and defamatory" coverage of him and asked them to "leave the men and women of the FBI out of it."

The fact that Patel's family and girlfriend, country music artist Alexis Wilkins, were present at the wedding highlighted how intimate the event was.

Kash Patel¡¯s net worth

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The ET News claims that the FBI director of Indian descent has a $30 million net worth, including a $10 million inheritance. With $12 million in real estate, he has a big profile. $7 million worth of Tesla shares is part of Kash Patel's Fortune.

He made a lot of money trading Bitcoin as well. Kash Patel bought an opulent four-bedroom house in Florida in January 2024.

Patel holds over $1 million worth of stock in a Chinese apparel company. Leveraging his political connections¡ªparticularly Patel's relationship with Trump and his love of self-promotion¡ªto land consulting contracts, business board seats, and status as a sought-after MAGA commentator has dramatically increased his net worth.

According to Fortune, which cited an Associated Press examination of his government financial disclosure forms, all of these actions increased his net worth to about $15 million.

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