Acting
Kash Patel
Kashyap Pramod Patel, born on February 25, 1980, is an accomplished American attorney currently serving as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2025. Prior to this role, he briefly held the position of acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from February to April 2025.
Patel's academic journey began with a focus on criminal justice and history at the University of Richmond, culminating in a law degree from Pace University School of Law. He began his legal career in 2005 as a public defender in Miami-Dade County, followed by a position as a federal public defender in Florida's Southern District. From 2012 to 2017, he contributed to the Department of Justice before transitioning to become a senior aide to Devin Nunes on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he notably authored the controversial Nunes memo regarding the FBI's investigations into connections between Donald Trump's associates and Russian officials.
In 2019, Patel joined the National Security Council and advanced to principal deputy director of national intelligence in 2020. Following a brief return to the National Security Council, he was appointed chief of staff to acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller after President Trump dismissed Mark Esper.
Post-presidency, Patel has engaged in various business endeavors and media appearances, including a role on the board of Trump Media & Technology Group and the publication of a children's book addressing the Steele dossier. He also founded The Kash Foundation to assist individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol incident. Notably, Patel is the first individual of South Asian descent to hold the position of FBI director, marking a significant milestone in the agency's history.
