FBI Director Faces Backlash for Using Government Jet to Visit Girlfriend
The Hill: "Alexis Wilkins Receives SWAT Protection"
"Credible Death Threats Received"... "Unusual Measure"
The girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, who has sparked controversy over allegedly taking government jets for dates, is reportedly under the protection of a police SWAT team. According to a statement from an FBI spokesperson cited by The Hill and reported by Yonhap News on November 17 (local time), Alexis Wilkins, Patel's girlfriend, has received protection due to hundreds of credible death threats.
The SWAT team typically responds to high-risk situations such as terrorism, shootouts, and hostage incidents. Wilkins, a country singer who has been in a relationship with Director Patel for three years, currently resides in Nashville. SWAT officers have reportedly been deployed to Nashville to provide security for Wilkins.
In the past, protection for spouses was provided only when they lived with the FBI Director, but Patel currently resides in Las Vegas and commutes to Washington, D.C. The Hill noted, "While it is common for the FBI Director's spouse to receive protection, it is unusual for the SWAT team to be assigned to this duty."
Director Patel became embroiled in controversy on October 25 when allegations surfaced that he used a government jet to attend a professional wrestling match where his girlfriend Wilkins sang the national anthem. At the time, federal employees, including FBI staff, had not been paid for weeks due to a government shutdown, and he was criticized for using a private jet to spend time with his partner during this emergency.
The response to the controversy also drew criticism. Patel reportedly dismissed Steven Palmer, the official overseeing the FBI's fleet of aircraft, after the story broke. Palmer, who has served at the FBI since 1998, is the head of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), which is responsible for crisis response including hostage rescue, bomb detection, and aircraft operations.
At the time, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson stated on social media, "The reports and criticism regarding Director Patel's travel are malicious and foolish," adding, "He is reimbursing the government for personal travel expenses according to regulations." He continued, "The FBI Director is classified as a 'mandatory government aircraft user' under federal regulations," and explained, "Even for personal travel, he is required to use government aircraft." Director Patel also criticized the reports on social media, calling them "false and foolish" and described the criticism as "malicious whining."
Director Patel, a loyalist to President Donald Trump, was appointed in February. According to The Wall Street Journal, since then, Patel has visited a friend's luxury hunting resort in Texas and traveled to Nashville seven times. The Wall Street Journal reported, "Justice Department and White House officials raised complaints, but he was unfazed."
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