FBI director Kash Patel under fire after private jet use accused of delaying mass shooting investigation
FBI director Kash Patel has been accused of delaying investigations into several high-profile crimes - including Charlie Kirk's assassination - by using a private jet.
The damning allegation was made today (25 February) by top Democrat, Dick Durbin, while speaking on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Durbin, 81, slammed Patel, the director of the FBI, for the 'irresponsible joyriding' of the bureau's collection of private aircraft. He also called for a formal investigation into the misuse of the jets by Patel and other senior members of his team.
It comes after Patel faced criticism for travelling to Italy on a private jet last week, watching the ice hockey at the Olympics during his visit and chugging beer in the men's locker room to celebrate Team USA's win.
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Patel said he travelled to conduct meetings with Italian law enforcement and ambassadors regarding security at the Olympics.
In making his accusations, Durbin cited claims made by a whistleblower, who themselves alleged that Patel's use of a private plane had prevented the FBI from promptly responding to the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk last September.
Durbin, a representative of Illinois, provided further detail on this claim, alleging that it was members of the FBI's shooting reconstruction team who suffered delays in getting to Utah Valley University, where Kirk was killed during a debate. Tyler Robinson, aged 22, was charged with the crime.
A pilot shortage caused by Patel's use of a private engine had reportedly kept the responding officers from landing on the site until the following day.
The same FBI insider also told Durbin that Patel's decision to place a private aircraft on hold last year slowed down the same team's response to a mass shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island, which saw two students killed and nine injured.
"As federal law enforcement is navigating multiple crises," Durbin alleged. "Including Americans facing significant danger after a prominent cartel leader was killed in Mexico - the FBI cannot afford to have its resources further stretched by a Director who views its staff and aircraft as a means to support his jet-setting lifestyle."
Patel is banned from using commercial airlines for security purposes.
Responding to the accusations against Patel, 46, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson denied that the bureau's director had in any way hindered criminal investigations.
"Durbin and whoever he's speaking to are full of it," Williamson added in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). "The Brown U thing is totally false but the Charlie Kirk allegation is even more egregious.
"Kash was in DC on 9/10 and in New York the next day for the 9/11 ceremonies - not personal travel. Durbin and whoever he's speaking to are full of it."
Despite the FBI's response, Durbin has called upon both the Government Accountability Office and the Justice Department's inspector general to look into the whistleblower's claims regarding Patel's jet usage.
Unsurprisingly, the controversy has sparked quite the debate online, with one onlooker questioning: "I mean, there’s no way all FBI agents travel on the director's jet, right?
"Like these two events have to be disconnected and this post is just engagement bait, right?"
Another added: "Patel must be held accountable for his potential misuse of government property privileges as a federal employee."
"Don’t worry though, he’s partying with Olympians!" a third jibed.
"If true, mismanagement of critical resources during major incidents is concerning and deserves accountability," noted a fourth.
Rhianna Benson