FBI Director Kash Patel Faces Scrutiny Over Jet Use, VIP Snorkel

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel is facing controversy over using a government jet to fly for a luxury date and going for a VIP snorkel at the Pearl Harbour memorial.

According to a report in The New York Post, Kash Patel, 46, allegedly travelled with his 27-year-old girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, aboard the FBI’s Gulfstream V jet from Washington to Philadelphia on May 10, 2025, to attend a country music concert before returning the same night.

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FBI jet used for concert trip

According to a report by The New York Times, Patel and Wilkins travelled from Washington to Philadelphia on May 10 last year aboard the FBI’s Gulfstream V jet to attend a country music concert. The couple reportedly watched the show from a private suite at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, where suites can cost between $35,000 and $50,000. FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said Wilkins had been invited by the performers. Patel, however, declined to clarify who paid for the outing.

Another flight linked to girlfriend’s concert

Months later, Kash Patel allegedly travelled on a Justice Department aircraft from Virginia to Pennsylvania to attend one of Wilkins’ concerts. About two-and-a-half hours later, the same jet reportedly flew to Nashville, Tennessee, where Wilkins lives. Reports claimed that flight crew members and security personnel earned overtime during the trip.

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Under FBI policy, the director must use official aircraft for security reasons but is also required to reimburse the government for personal travel at commercial flight rates. Patel had earlier defended his use of government planes, saying Congress made it mandatory for him to use official aircraft for all travel.

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Hawaii trip sparks controversy

Patel also drew criticism during a visit to Hawaii last summer when he and nine others reportedly used Navy SEAL-operated boats for a “VIP snorkel” near the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour.

The memorial honours more than 900 US Navy sailors and Marines killed during the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbour and is considered a sacred military site.

According to reports, Patel swam near the submerged USS Arizona wreck for around 30 minutes. Visitors are generally prohibited from wearing swimwear at the memorial out of respect for those who died there. Former FBI directors have visited Pearl Harbour before, but none is known to have gone snorkeling near the memorial site.

The FBI hit back at an Associated Press report that Kash Patel participated in a “VIP snorkel” excursion at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii last year, noting that the trip was part of a “historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona — not a party.”

“The AP is attempting to spin an invitation from the Commanding General of Indo Pacom [US Indo-Pacific Command] to a military base as a party or vacation, which is so stupid,” said FBI spokesman Ben Williamson in an X post.

“The DoW [Department of War] routinely does these engagements with interagency partners — to include this one — and when he was Chief of staff for [the Pentagon] in Trump 1, Patel offered the same event for many partners that came to visit,” he added. The meeting focused on “crime trends and threats to the homeland,” the bureau’s release noted, including “violent crime initiatives and casework.”

New Zealand visit also raised questions

During the same overseas tour, Patel visited Wellington to open a new FBI satellite office. Local reports claimed he was seen swimming near the harbour despite a tsunami advisory being in place. Patel had also faced criticism earlier after being seen celebrating inside the locker room with members of the US men’s hockey team following their Winter Olympics gold medal win in Milan. He later defended the visit, saying the trip had been “purposely planned” in connection with a cybercrime investigation involving Italian authorities.

Girlfriend’s presence at official meetings

Questions have also been raised over Wilkins’ participation in official events and meetings. Last month, she reportedly attended a closed-door anti-drug trafficking meeting in Pennsylvania alongside Patel and FBI officials. Reports said she sat at the head of the table while officials discussed strategy and heard testimonies from families affected by the fentanyl crisis. Wilkins later said she attended because she works with “fentanyl and angel families”.

Full-Time security detail for Alexis Wilkins

Reports further claimed Wilkins has been provided a full-time security detail — an arrangement not usually extended to spouses or partners of FBI directors or cabinet officials. According to reports, her security detail includes four agents and two SUVs, costing taxpayers nearly $1 million annually, excluding overtime and other expenses.

Patel justified the arrangement by citing “constant, serious threats” against Wilkins. Earlier reports by The New York Times alleged Patel had directed agents from FBI field offices to provide SWAT-level protection for her in Nashville.

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