UPDATE: FBI Director Kash Patel has fired the head of the bureau’s aviation unit, Steven Palmer, after a government jet trip to a wrestling event sparked intense backlash. This dramatic development follows revelations that Patel flew to Pennsylvania to see his girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, perform the national anthem at the Real American Freestyle wrestling event during a government shutdown.
In a fiery response to criticism, Patel labeled detractors as “uninformed internet anarchists” and “fake news.” The firing of Palmer, a seasoned 27-year FBI veteran, marks the third dismissal at the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) since Patel took charge in February 2023.
Flight logs published by Flightaware revealed Patel’s trip, which he documented on his personal X account. Critics quickly seized on the timing, highlighting the optics of using a government jet amid a government shutdown affecting countless Americans. “I think he should have been a little more circumspect about making this such a public trip,” former FBI agent John Nantz told the Sun.
The controversy deepened as former whistleblower and vocal critic Kyle Seraphin denounced Patel’s actions, calling them “hypocritical.” Patel, 45, defended his girlfriend, stating, “Attacking her isn’t just wrong — it’s cowardly and jeopardizes our safety.” The couple has faced scrutiny, especially since Wilkins filed a $5 million defamation lawsuit against Seraphin, accusing him of making baseless allegations about her.
Patel is a “required use traveler,” mandated by Congress to utilize planes equipped with Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) communications. Although he reimburses the FBI for the cost of a commercial ticket, taxpayers still cover operational expenses like fuel and landing fees.
As this scandal unfolds, Patel’s decision to publicize the trip has drawn fire from both the media and social media platforms. The backlash has been amplified by Seraphin, who claims to have triggered an internal leak investigation within the FBI regarding the information about Patel’s flight.
The public scrutiny surrounding Patel’s actions comes at a sensitive time, as many Americans are struggling financially. “It looks like Kash is simply failing to save his reputation,” Seraphin remarked.
What happens next? All eyes will be on Patel as he navigates this turbulent period, and his leadership at the FBI faces increasing challenges. With investigations potentially on the horizon, the implications of this controversy are far-reaching. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
