Kashyap (Kash) Patel was sworn in as the 9th Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, in Washington, DC, a day after his confirmation.  The Oath of Office and ceremony were presided over by U.S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi, in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building located within The White House campus.  

Patel was was sworn on the Bhagavad Gita, a traditional, sacred Hindu religious text.

Freshly minted FBI Director Kash Patel giving a speech in the Indian Treaty Room at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building while his sister and nephew watch, on Friday February 21, 2025, Washington, DC. Credit: Getty Images

Standing next to him as he was sworn in was his 26-year old girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, his sister and nephew.  According to Patel, his sister had travelled all the way from The United Kingdom to witness the historic event.  

Patel also had a huge support system with him.  Present in the room were his parents, uncles and a contingent of extended family members and friends from across America who had come to support and witness a historic first.

Newly sworn-in FBI Director, Kash Patel, delivers speech at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Friday February 21, 2025. Credit: Pool/ABACA/Shutterstock

Whilst Patel was sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita, he wasn’t the first.  Now Director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, was the first ever Hindu American to be elected to office as Congresswoman (D-Hawaii) in 2013 and was sworn on the Bhagavad Gita. 

She was the first lawmaker to use the sacred Hindu religious text when she took her first oath of office.

Kash, is the ninth Director of the FBI to be confirmed and sworn in.  His ascendency to the FBI directorship is one that is both historic and a precedence.  Patel is the first, Hindu American to assume this role.

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