UPDATE: FBI Director Kash Patel has just fired Steven Palmer, the head of the bureau’s aviation unit, following a public outcry over Patel’s use of a government jet to attend a wrestling event in Pennsylvania where his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, performed. This development comes amid a government shutdown, raising questions about ethics and accountability within the FBI.
In a swift response to the backlash, which Patel described as stemming from “uninformed internet anarchists and the fake news,” he dismissed Palmer, a 27-year veteran of the bureau. This termination marks the third head of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) to be removed since Patel assumed his role in February.
Flight data logs from Flightaware revealed that Patel utilized a government airplane for the trip, prompting significant scrutiny. At the wrestling event, held on Saturday, Wilkins performed the national anthem, a move that Patel defended on his personal X account. “I’ve always said — criticize me all you want. But going after the people doing great work, my personal life, or those around me is a total disgrace,” he stated.
Critics, including controversial whistleblower Kyle Seraphin, labeled Patel’s actions as hypocritical. Seraphin, known for his right-wing commentary, highlighted the optics of traveling for personal reasons while many Americans face financial struggles during the government shutdown.
As FBI directors are considered “required use travelers,” Patel is mandated to fly on planes equipped with SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) communications. While he reportedly reimburses the bureau for the cost of commercial flights, operational fees such as fuel and landing costs are covered by taxpayers, adding fuel to the fire of public discontent.
Former FBI agent and commentator John Nantz noted, “I think he should have been a little more circumspect about making this such a public trip.” The criticism intensified after Patel shared images from the wrestling event on social media.
The controversy surrounding Patel is compounded by his past comments, where he labeled his predecessor, Christopher Wray, a “government gangster” for similar flight practices. The timing of Patel’s trip has drawn ire as Americans struggle to make ends meet, with many viewing the trip as a blatant disregard for ongoing national issues.
Meanwhile, Patel has publicly defended Wilkins, labeling her as “a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation.” He condemned attacks on her character as “cowardly” and a threat to their safety. In an ongoing legal battle, Wilkins recently filed a $5 million lawsuit against Seraphin, accusing him of defamation after he called her a “honeypot” and an Israeli spy seeking access to the Trump administration.
As this situation develops, Patel’s leadership and public image are under intense scrutiny. Observers are closely watching how the FBI director will navigate this backlash and whether further ramifications will unfold.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story, as Patel faces mounting pressure from both the media and the public regarding his conduct and the implications of his recent decisions.
