Kash Patel became FBI director in February 2025, after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 19–20, 2025, and then sworn in a few days later.

Key dates at a glance

  • Senate confirmation vote: February 19–20, 2025 (51–49 party-line style vote, with two Republican senators opposing).
  • Swearing‑in as FBI director: Late February 2025, reported as having been sworn in and assuming the role shortly after confirmation.

In practical terms, when people ask “when did Kash Patel become FBI director,” they usually mean the point at which he actually took office, which happened once he was sworn in following his mid‑February 2025 Senate confirmation.