Democrats Launch Congressional Investigation into Kash Patel’s FBI Jet Use
The House Judiciary Committee’s Democrats have initiated a congressional investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel’s use of the agency’s aircraft for personal trips. This inquiry follows various media reports regarding Patel’s travel patterns, including a notable trip to Pennsylvania for a performance by his girlfriend.
Details of the Investigation
Democratic committee members, including Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California, have formally requested travel records from Patel. They are seeking details for flights taken on October 25 to Pennsylvania and subsequent trips, including a recent excursion to Texas.
Key Allegations
- Patel allegedly used the FBI’s Gulfstream jet for personal flights.
- A trip to Pennsylvania was reportedly for his girlfriend’s performance at a wrestling event at Pennsylvania State University.
- After the event, Patel reportedly flew to Nashville with her, raising concerns about the appropriateness of this travel.
- The investigation also questions a trip to Texas, where he was hosted by a Republican donor at a hunting resort.
Official Requests and Responses
The committee’s letter to the FBI requests travel logs and communication records by December 15. However, Raskin and Kamlager-Dove lack the power to subpoena these records, limiting their ability to enforce compliance.
In the letter, they emphasized, “These planes are not yours. They are the property of the U.S. Government and are paid for by the American people.”
Previous Reports
In May, CBS News highlighted scrutiny surrounding Patel’s use of FBI aircraft, including a request by Senate Democrats for an independent review by the Government Accountability Office. FBI directors must use government planes for travel for security reasons and are required to reimburse the government for personal use.
- Patel has been noted for using the FBI’s jets for luxury trips, including travel to Las Vegas and Nashville.
- In one instance, flight logs indicated a trip to Las Vegas on March 7 and a weekend in Nashville on March 24.
The FBI has not yet commented on the current investigation. The situation continues to raise questions about the ethical use of government resources by federal officials.
