In an unprecedented move, FBI Director Kash Patel has provided his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, a 27-year-old country singer and conservative activist, with a full protective detail, including elite SWAT agents from the Nashville field office. This decision marks the first instance in the history of the FBI that an unmarried partner of a director has been granted such extensive security measures.
According to two sources knowledgeable about FBI protective operations, the assignment of agents to Wilkins could result in a reduced response capability to mass shootings or terrorist incidents in Middle Tennessee. The protective detail's presence has generated concern among FBI personnel and observers alike, as the resources dedicated to Wilkins could potentially be unavailable in emergency situations.
"This is a clear abuse of position and misuse of government resources," said former senior FBI agent Christopher O’Leary, criticizing the security measures for Alexis Wilkins.
Former senior FBI agent Christopher O’Leary criticized the allocation of resources, highlighting that Wilkins does not share a residence or live in the same city as Director Patel. O’Leary also pointed out the stark contrast in security measures, noting that security details have recently been removed from individuals facing threats from Iran's Quds Force (IRGC QF).
The controversy extends beyond the protective detail. Reports surfaced last month about Patel's use of a $60 million FBI Gulfstream jet for personal travel to a Penn State wrestling event where Wilkins performed the national anthem. Notably, Patel had previously criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray for similar use of bureau aircraft during his tenure in the Trump administration.
Amidst this backdrop, questions linger regarding the investigation into the July 2024 assassination attempt on President Donald Trump by Thomas Matthew Crooks. Concerns also persist about the unsolved January 6 pipe bomb incidents and the Jeffrey Epstein client list. Patel reportedly halted an investigation led by National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent that examined potential foreign involvement in the assassination of an individual at Utah Valley University.
The situation has taken a legal turn as Wilkins filed defamation lawsuits against conservative commentators who have accused her of being a Mossad agent and Israeli spy. The defendants include Rift TV CEO Elijah Schaffer, former FBI agent and whistleblower Kyle Seraphin, and former Utah Senate candidate Sam Parker. These lawsuits are in response to online posts and discussions that portray Wilkins as a foreign operative.
Seraphin, sharing his thoughts on the matter via Twitter, alluded to the financial burden of the legal challenge he now faces. The defendants may incur significant legal expenses defending against the claims brought forth by Wilkins.
This episode has not only sparked debate over the appropriate use of government resources but also the intersection of personal relationships and public duty within the highest echelons of federal law enforcement.