Kash Patel has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as director of the FBI on Thursday in a vote of 51-49. The vote to confirm Patel was mostly along party lines, with all Democrats voting against it and Republican senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine also voting no.

The Senate voted Thursday to confirm Kash Patel as the next director of the FBI, cementing the ardent MAGA loyalist's role atop the powerful federal law enforcement agency. Why it matters: Patel's confirmation comes as President Trump seeks to test the limits of presidential power and expand the powers of law enforcement.

The Senate voted 51-49 to confirm Kash Patel as director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Here are some things to know about his new role.