WASHINGTON: The Republican-controlled US Senate on Thursday confirmed Kash Patel as director of the FBI, putting a loyal defender of President Donald Trump and a frequent critic of the bureau atop the most prominent US law enforcement agency.

Patel was confirmed by a 51-49 vote. Two moderate Republicans, Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined all Democrats in opposing Patel, but it was not enough to overcome broad Republican support.

Collins and Murkowski, in opposing Patel, expressed concern about his past political advocacy for Trump and its potential effect on the FBI’s law enforcement activities. At least 75 career Justice Department lawyers and FBI officials, have either resigned, been fired or stripped of their posts in the first month of the Trump administration.