Trump-loyal Patel sparked attention with a series of controversial statements even before he was nominated – words he partially backtracked on during the hearings, which was not enough for all Republicans.
Two of Trump's party colleagues – Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski – voted against Patel, Collins said before the vote that she wants the head of the federal police not to act politically.
One of the statements Patel backtracked on concerns "enemies" in Washington, that he would use his influence to take revenge on political opponents.
Patel has also previously said that he wants to turn the FBI's headquarters in Washington DC into a museum – because the employees should be "sent out across America to hunt criminals".
During Trump's first term as president, Patel worked for the national security adviser, before moving on to a position as chief of staff at the defense department.
Besides his political career, the colorful Patel has sparked attention with his series of children's books "The plot against the king" (approximately "The conspiracy against the king"). It's about the extraordinary wizard Kash who saves the good King Donald from being overthrown by the villain "Hillary Queenton".
