FBI Directors -- THE ATLANTIC article -- 4/17/2026-- Example of erratic and bizarre behavior (current director K. Patel) - May 2026

 Origin of Federal Bureau of Investigation

developments -- Kash Patel's drinking episodes -- ATLANTIC reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick

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1930s J. Edgar Hoover - died in office May 2, 1972 (48 years Director)

Clarence Kelly (confirmed by Senate) 1973 -8

William H. Webster 1978 - 87

William S. Sessions 1987 - 93

Louis J. Freeh 1993 - 2001

Robert S. Mueller Sept. 4, 2001 - 2013

James B. Comey 2013 - 2017 (fired by Trump)

Christopher Wray 2017 - 2025 (resigned on order of Trump)

Kash Patel on Feb. 20, 2025 (GOP MAGA majority

confirms him by 51 - 49; moderate Women Senators

Collins & Murkowski oppose him along_ with all Democrats

and Independents)

Next FBI Director

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this list does not contain the short-term "acting"

FBI Directors who were not subject to confirmation

after U.S. Senate Vote/ sworn in for multiple years