Senior Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have opened an inquiry into FBI Director Kash Patels recent travel after reports suggested he used the bureaus Gulfstream jet for personal trips, including one to Pennsylvania to watch his girlfriend perform at a university sporting event.
Citing multiple media accounts, committee Democrats allege that Patel also used the aircraft for a date night in Tennessee and for a separate visit with friends in Texas. They have requested from the FBI detailed travel logs, passenger lists, and any communications related to these flights.
In a letter addressed to the bureau, Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the committees Ranking Member, and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California questioned Patels Oct. 25 flight to Pennsylvania. According to their letter, Patel traveled there specifically to attend his girlfriends performance at a wrestling event at Pennsylvania State University and then flew with her back to Nashville the next day a trip the lawmakers say had no connection to his official responsibilities.
The inquiry further highlights a trip to San Angelo, Texas, first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Lawmakers noted that Patel spent four days at Boondoggle Ranch, a scenic hunting property owned by major Republican donor Bubba Saulsbury.
Democrats say details of Patels travels became public through flight tracking data and social media posts by his girlfriend. Their letter requests that the FBI provide travel documentation by December 15. As members of the minority party, however, they lack the authority to compel production of the records.
The letter stresses that the bureaus aircraft are funded by taxpayers and not for personal use without proper reimbursement. Executive branch policy requires FBI directors to travel on government planes for both official and personal trips in order to maintain secure communications, though personal travel must be reimbursed at commercial coach rates. Guests must also cover their own travel costs.
Earlier reporting indicated that Patel has used the FBIs Gulfstream 5 jets for additional personal travel, including weekend flights to Las Vegas, where he owns a home, and to Nashville, where his girlfriend resides. Sources familiar with his travel confirmed several of these trips were documented on public flight trackers.
