Kash Patel Takes $60M FBI Jet to See Girlfriend 2 Years After Slamming His Predecessor for Using Government Plane

Kash Patel, FBI Director, takes $60M FBI Jet to Visit Girlfriend

In recent news, FBI Director Kash Patel made headlines for allegedly using a government-owned plane to visit his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, who performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a wrestling event in State College, Pa. Patel reportedly flew on a $60 million FBI jet to attend the event, sparking controversy and leading to the firing of Stephen Palmer, the official in charge of the FBI’s fleet of airplanes. The incident has drawn attention as Patel had previously criticized his predecessor, Chris Wray, for similar private jet usage.

Patel’s use of the FBI jet to travel to Pennsylvania has raised eyebrows, given his past statements condemning government officials using official planes for personal affairs. In a podcast episode in 2023, Patel had expressed his desire to curb such practices, specifically calling out Chris Wray’s private jet travel funded by taxpayers. However, Patel’s actions have now come under scrutiny, with reports surfacing about his own use of government planes for personal travel.

The controversy surrounding Patel’s personal travel extends beyond his trip to see Wilkins perform. Earlier reports had highlighted Patel’s use of a government-owned jet for various personal trips, including flights between Washington, D.C. and New York City. Questions have been raised about the necessity and appropriateness of such travel, particularly in comparison to everyday FBI agents who do not have access to private jets for their own travels.

During a September hearing, Vermont Sen. Peter Welch challenged Patel on his personal travel practices, highlighting the disparity between his use of private jets and that of other FBI agents. The exchange shed light on the privileged access to resources enjoyed by top officials, prompting concerns about accountability and transparency within the agency. Patel’s attendance at events like a charity hockey game in New York and a MMA fight in Las Vegas alongside Wayne Gretzky and Mel Gibson further fueled the debate.

Following media attention on Patel’s use of the FBI jet, reports emerged that he had fired Stephen Palmer, the head of the FBI’s critical response group. Palmer’s departure after 27 years with the agency was reportedly linked to Patel’s dissatisfaction with the negative coverage surrounding his personal travel. The handling of the situation has raised questions about accountability within the FBI and the implications of using government resources for personal reasons.

In response to the scrutiny, Patel posted a statement on social media dismissing the criticisms as “baseless rumors” and defending Wilkins against “disgustingly baseless attacks.” The FBI’s Assistant Director for Public Affairs, Ben Williamson, also issued a statement defending Patel’s travel practices, stating that officials like Patel are required to use government planes for certain travel, including personal trips. The ongoing controversy underscores the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities in high-ranking government positions.

As the story continues to unfold, the implications of Patel’s actions on public trust and accountability within the FBI remain at the forefront. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and ethical conduct in government leadership, especially when it comes to the use of taxpayer-funded resources. Moving forward, the handling of Patel’s personal travel and its repercussions will likely prompt further discussions on government officials’ responsibilities and the need for oversight to ensure integrity and compliance.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as details emerge and reactions unfold within the FBI and beyond.