USA09 July, 20263 min read
Chuck Grassley Demands FBI Director Kash Patel Account For Flights And BMW Purchases
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Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley asks Kash Patel to explain FBI aircraft use. Democrats join Grassley demanding answers on Patel's flights and BMW purchases.
Grassley demands records
Senate Judiciary Committee chair Chuck Grassley asked FBI Director Kash Patel to provide a detailed accounting of Patel’s flights on an FBI aircraft and the FBI’s purchase of BMW vehicles, in a May 5 letter reviewed by CNN. Grassley’s request asks Patel to list each flight, share the cost, and say whether the flights were for personal or official purposes, and if personal, whether Patel reimbursed the government. Grassley also pressed Patel to explain why the FBI “decided to purchase BMW vehicles instead of Chevy Suburbans,” and to provide a cost analysis breakdown of the BMW purchases compared to a similar Chevy suburban.
CNN reported that the controversy around Patel’s travel included a video of him chugging beer in the Team USA men’s hockey team locker room after the Olympics gold-medal game in February, which raised questions about his use of FBI resources for what appeared to be a fan’s personal trip. CNN said the FBI maintained Patel was in Milan in an official capacity and held six public events and two classified events, including meetings related to the Olympic security apparatus.
Democrats join the probe
House and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Jamie Raskin and Dick Durbin disclosed that Grassley sent the Trump administration’s FBI director a private letter in May seeking detailed records about his use of FBI aircraft and the bureau’s purchase of armored BMW vehicles for the director’s transportation. Raskin and Durbin said the concerns mirror those raised repeatedly by House and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, and they accused Patel of demanding special “perks” during international travel, including “VIP snorkeling” trips in Hawaii and jet skiing. The Independent reported that Raskin and Durbin wrote that the allegations include “VIP snorkeling” trips in Hawaii and jet skiing, helicopter tours and other recreational activities while on FBI business.
The Independent also quoted an FBI spokesperson saying the allegations outlined in the letter are “completely false,” and said the FBI stated Patel has “reimbursed ALL personal travel and expenses, strictly following the Office of Management and Budget rules.” NewsNation reported that a senior FBI official denied the accusations in detail, saying “The accusations within the letter are completely false,” while also asserting Patel’s travel was “fully consistent with Executive Branch requirements and policies that extend over decades across all Administrations.”
BMW, jets, and next steps
NewsNation said Grassley acknowledged FBI policy requires the director to fly in the FBI jet even when traveling for personal reasons, but argued Congress deserves an accounting of the director’s use of FBI aircraft for an “independent and objective review.” NewsNation reported that the senior FBI official said the BMW armored vehicles were purchased from the State Department to replace two armored cars that had maintenance issues, and that the vehicles were “sitting idle and unused in their warehouse.” NewsNation further stated that the senior official said the FBI procured “two armored BMWs, which are significantly less expensive — saving over $1 million each — vs. the alternative (armored Suburbans).”
“Grassley gave Patel until May 19 to respond to the voluntary request.”
The Independent said the probe follows Grassley’s letter dated July 8 from Raskin and Durbin, and it quoted their warning that “The American people deserve an FBI Director focused on keeping us all safe rather than jet-setting to check off personal bucket list items.” CNN reported that Grassley gave Patel until May 19 to respond to the voluntary request, while also noting that House and Senate Democrats launched their own probe into Patel’s spending, including references to whistleblower accounts.