FBI Director Kash Patel is facing criticism from Democratic lawmakers over what they say is his misuse of the bureau’s private jet for personal travel.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) is among the most vocal, saying Patel is living large at the expense of everyday Americans.
“Kash Patel is asking ordinary taxpayers – teachers, plumbers, janitors – to pay for his lavish lifestyle. He’s a rich guy, having made millions marketing his weird K$SH brand merch,” Murphy posted on X.
“He should pay the government back for all the personal trips he’s taken on his private plane.”
Murphy also shared footage from CNN, where he added, “We’ve probably never seen an FBI director care so little about his job as Kash Patel.”
He accused Patel of spending much of his time “gallivanting around the country, visiting his girlfriend, going on golf trips with his buddies” and trying to blend into the “MAGA celebrity world.”
Jet Use Sparks Investigation
House Democrats have launched a formal inquiry into Patel’s use of the FBI’s $60 million Gulfstream jet, citing multiple personal trips that have surfaced in flight logs and social media posts.
According to CBS News, these include a flight to watch his girlfriend perform at a wrestling event at Penn State University, followed by a trip to Nashville, where she lives. He also traveled to Boondoggle Ranch, a Texas hunting resort owned by GOP donor Bubba Saulsbury.
“You used a $60 million government jet for an overnight date with your girlfriend, a Scottish golfing excursion with your buddies, and a trip to a luxury hunting retreat called ‘Boondoggle Ranch,'”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) wrote in a letter demanding flight logs. “Why should American taxpayers be footing the bill?”
Raskin and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) requested travel records, passenger information, and related communications, but as members of the minority party, they cannot subpoena the information.
Patel Responds: ‘I’m Entitled To a Personal Life’
According to The Hill, Patel defended himself, claiming his use of the jet complies with FBI policy. “It’s simple. The FBI director — all FBI directors — are required users of the FBI plane. They don’t let me fly commercially,” he said, adding that he actually reduced wasteful spending by mandating the use of government airfields instead of commercial airports.
Patel also pushed back on criticism of his personal life. “Yes, I’m entitled to a personal life just like my other agency counterparts with their partners. Do I support my girlfriend? Absolutely. And do I take trips with her? Absolutely.”
He called the accusations a distraction from the FBI’s current progress and accused former leadership and critics of resisting change.
“They are not talking about the facts because they know this FBI is succeeding in ways prior leadership failed.”
Despite the official policy requiring FBI directors to use government aircraft for both personal and official travel, they must reimburse the cost of personal trips at commercial rates. Critics argue it’s unclear if Patel has met that obligation.
“He certainly has the cash to pay back the poor people, the middle-class families who are fronting his lavish lifestyle,” Murphy said.
IMAGE CREDIT: ”Kash Patel” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.