FBI Director Kash Patel has issued a forceful response to those criticizing his use of an FBI jet to attend his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins' performance at a wrestling event in Pennsylvania. The situation drew public attention after Patel, 45, traveled to State College, Pennsylvania, where his girlfriend, a 26-year-old country singer, sang the national anthem before the jet continued to Nashville.
In a statement released on social media, Director Patel referred to his detractors as "uninformed internet anarchists" and defended Wilkins against what he described as cowardly attacks that jeopardized their safety. Patel emphasized that Wilkins is a committed patriot who has made significant contributions to the country. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of family, stating that such criticism would not deter him from spending time with his loved ones.
The controversy deepened when Ben Williamson, a spokesperson for Patel, defended the director's travel by highlighting that the cost incurred was less compared to the travel expenses of previous FBI leaders, James Comey and Christopher Wray. Williamson noted that Patel preemptively reimburses travel costs and rarely takes personal time to be with family, friends, or his long-standing girlfriend.
Discourse surrounding the matter escalated following a satirical post by former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin, which mocked Patel's use of the FBI jet. Conservative commentator Candace Owens added to the criticism on Sunday night, questioning Patel's decision to publicly defend his girlfriend instead of a spouse, suggesting that this reflects poorly on the nation's image.
The incident occurs amidst reported strains between Patel and other officials within the Trump administration. Notably, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche have reportedly clashed with Patel over his management of certain investigations.
Prior to releasing his statement in defense of Wilkins, Patel terminated senior official Steven Palmer, a 27-year veteran responsible for crisis communications. Reports suggest that Palmer's dismissal was linked to negative media coverage concerning the jet controversy, with Palmer being advised to resign or face termination. The FBI has not issued a comment regarding Palmer's departure or the jet usage allegations.
Alexis Wilkins has been the subject of attention throughout Patel's tenure at the FBI, with some MAGA critics leveling unfounded accusations against her, including conspiracy theories of her being a foreign intelligence operative. These accusations have been strongly denied by Wilkins, who has experienced substantial harassment, leading her to block certain terms from her social media comments.
