Murkowski gets onboard with Team Patel, the man she tried to block for FBI director

In a political pivot, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who previously voted against the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI director, now says she is actively working with him — praising parts of his approach while pushing for concrete action on longstanding justice issues affecting Native communities and public safety in Alaska.

During a Senate committee hearing this week, Murkowski engaged in a substantive exchange with Director Patel, focusing on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis and Alaska’s worsening fentanyl epidemic.

“This is a week that a lot of Alaskans are paying attention to,” Murkowski began, referencing the national recognition of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day. She commended past efforts like Operation Lady Justice under the Trump administration and noted Patel’s new initiative, Operation Not Forgotten, which she said must be more than a name—it must come with real resources.

“I need to be able to give folks back home the comfort that they need to know that these cases … will not be dropped,” Murkowski told Patel. “What can you share with me this morning?”

Patel, in response, highlighted his recent meetings with tribal leaders and families of victims, including the parents of 14-year-old Emily Pike, whose unsolved murder continues to haunt a reservation community in Arizona.

“Every crime in this country will be treated equally,” Patel said, adding that he is pushing for more FBI presence on reservations and direct engagement with tribal communities, including a liaison position at FBI headquarters.

While Alaska lacks the reservation system and formal tribal law enforcement structures found in the Lower 48, Murkowski emphasized the state’s unique challenges and criticized the FBI for inadequate communication with victims’ families.

“It’s radio silence out of the agency,” she said, urging Patel to fund more Victim Service Coordinators in Alaska’s FBI offices.

The discussion also touched on the rising tide of fentanyl deaths in the state, with Murkowski pointing to a 40% increase in overdose fatalities in 2023, making Alaska the only state where numbers are still climbing. “We ought to be able to intercept drugs more effectively,” she said, noting Alaska’s limited access points for trafficking.

Patel assured her that the FBI is increasing resources in Alaska and pledged to continue collaborating on both fentanyl interdiction and the MMIWG crisis.

“We will work with you and your office to make sure Alaska is not forgotten,” he said.

The public exchange, while cordial and constructive, marks a notable shift in Murkowski’s stance on Patel. Her initial opposition during his confirmation process centered on concerns about his political background and ties to former President Donald Trump’s inner circle. But now, with Patel in office and wielding significant influence over federal law enforcement priorities, Murkowski appears committed to engaging him directly to ensure Alaska’s needs are addressed.

When asked about the pivot, a spokesperson for Murkowski stated, “Senator Murkowski will always work with whoever holds the office, regardless of past votes, if it means delivering justice and safety for Alaskans.”