Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has expressed her support for Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Senate confirmed Patel's nomination with a narrow vote of 51-49.

Senator Britt, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, emphasized the importance of swiftly confirming President Trump's national security team. "As Republicans continue to confirm President Trump’s nominees at the fastest pace in decades, there is no priority more urgent than getting his national security team in place. Today, I was proud to vote to confirm Kash Patel to lead the FBI," she stated.

Britt believes that under Patel's leadership, the FBI will refocus on protecting Americans from various threats without political bias. "At the helm of the FBI, Director Patel will return the agency’s focus to protecting the American people from terrorists, hostile foreign actors, and violent criminals. Under his leadership, the days of weaponizing the agency to target Americans for their political beliefs are over," she said.

After meeting with Patel in December, Britt highlighted Alabama's significant role in national security through Redstone Arsenal. She noted that "Kash and I discussed how FBI Redstone in Huntsville is in prime position to be an invaluable partner in achieving this shared goal."

During Patel's confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Britt invited him to visit Alabama's advanced FBI facilities at Redstone Arsenal. She praised those working there: "The workforce occupying these facilities... are working diligently each and every day to make sure that men and women in uniform are the best trained, equipped, and ready that there is."

Patel accepted Britt's invitation and committed to addressing staffing needs at Huntsville's FBI operations. “Senator, you have that commitment,” he affirmed. He acknowledged existing capabilities across FBI sites nationwide while noting open positions at Redstone Arsenal: "And not only is it... a 38,000-acre sprawling campus... but 4,000 seats remain open."