Kash Patel was officially signed as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) by US President Donald Trump on Thursday. Patel is an

Indian-American lawyer

who was born to Gujarati parents in Garden City, New York, on February 25, 1980. He has had a distinguished career in law and

national security

and was accompanied by his family, including his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, at the hearing.

An Indian at heart!

According to reports, when Donald Trump came to India and gave a speech in which he mispronounced many Indian names, including ‘Soochin Tendulkar and Chewalla’, his speech was prepared by this Gujrati man ‘Kash’ Patel, whom president Trump has chosen to lead the FBI.

Patel’s Indian heritage has always been an integral part of his identity and has many traits that show his deep connection to his Indian roots. According to sources, he takes the Lord’s name and chants ‘Jai Shri Krishna’ before his hearings and seeks his parents’ blessings by touching their feet. He is also a Ram Mandir supporter, which is not a popular opinion among American politicians.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), Patel expressed his gratitude to his family, who travelled from India to be with him. He acknowledged his parents and his sister, who crossed oceans to support him, saying, “It means the world that you guys are here. Jai Shri Krishna.”

Kash pursued higher education at the University of Richmond and later earned a Juris Doctor degree from Pace University School of Law. Patel’s career as a lawyer began as a public defender, where he handled various range of cases, from murder to complex financial crimes, in both state and federal courts.
Even though Patel is deeply connected to India through his heritage, his professional life has been devoted largely to U.S. national security, intelligence, and law enforcement. He has served in various high-profile roles over the years, including deputy assistant to the President and senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council (NSC). His work has helped to neutralize top targets like ISIS leader al-Baghdadi and al-Qa’ida’s Qasem al-Rimi, and the safe return of American hostages.

During his confirmation hearing, Patel’s girlfriend Alexis Wilkins caught significant attention online and there is enough buzz around her to know who she is. Alexis Wilkins, Patel’s girlfriend, is a multi-talented woman who is a popular country singer, writer, and commentator. She is also press secretary for Republican representative Abraham Hamade.

Wilkins’ first single EP and Veteran Day song gathered more than 1,000,000 streams on major platforms. She has toured with well-known artists like Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Sara Evans, and Parmalee. She grew up in Switzerland and England before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, where she studied business and political science at Belmont University.
The duo met for the first time at a conservative ReAwaken America rally in October 2022 and started dating in early 2023. Wilkins has been a vocal supporter of veterans’ issues, collaborating with groups such as Warrior Rounds, Operation Standdown, and Soldier’s Child to assist veterans. As Patel starts his new journey, Wilkins’ unflinching support and common values will certainly remain a source of strength for the couple.