FBI Director Patel under scrutiny over use of 'SWAT teams to protect girlfriend'

FBI Director Kash Patel is under mounting criticism for allegedly deploying bureau resources, including SWAT personnel and government aircraft, to provide protection and travel support for his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.

According to The New York Times investigation, Patel repeatedly directed tactical agents to accompany Wilkins at events and during travel, raising concerns inside the bureau about the unusual nature and scope of the protection she received, reports The Indian Express.

SWAT agents sent to National Rifle Association convention

Questions intensified after an incident at the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Atlanta earlier this year. Wilkins, who was scheduled to perform at the event, arrived accompanied by two members of an FBI SWAT team from the local field office -- sent on Patel's orders.

The agents reportedly left before her performance ended after determining the venue was secure and that Wilkins faced no immediate threat. Their early departure angered Patel, who later reprimanded the team's commander for leaving Wilkins without what he believed was necessary protection and for not properly communicating their movements through the chain of command.

Patel is said to have believed that Wilkins, a high-profile conservative public figure, could be targeted due to online threats she had received.

'Highly unusual' deployment of tactical agents

Current and former FBI officials told The New York Times that deploying SWAT personnel -- who are trained for high-risk operations such as hostage rescues -- for personal protective duties is "highly unusual."

Some said Patel's reliance on tactical teams appeared improvised and lacked proper planning.

Agents were reportedly deployed on short notice to provide security for Wilkins during events in Nashville and other cities.

Wilkins, 27, has also accompanied Patel on certain official and overseas trips. In May, she flew to London while Patel attended a closed-door national security conference. According to a former official, FBI personnel from the US embassy facilitated her transportation to the venue.

Use of government aircraft under review

Patel's use of government planes has similarly drawn scrutiny. While FBI directors are required to fly on government aircraft to maintain secure communications, personal travel must be reimbursed at the commercial ticket rate.

Patel has reportedly used both the bureau's small private jet and, at times, a Boeing 757 for personal trips -- including visits to Nevada and to Wilkins's home in Tennessee.

A bureau spokesman previously said Patel has taken about a dozen personal flights since assuming office.

Ben Williamson, a spokesperson for Patel, defended the director, saying his travel costs align with those of his predecessors and that Wilkins receives security only because she has faced "hundreds of credible death threats." He dismissed the criticism as "bad faith," insisting that scrutiny of FBI travel procedures "will not deter the bureau from our mission."

Internal concerns amid push for budget cuts

Former FBI agents, however, have privately expressed concern that the director's choices reflect misplaced priorities, especially at a time when Patel himself has called for substantial cuts to the bureau's budget.

The controversy surrounding Wilkins's security arrangements has intensified debate within federal law enforcement circles about the appropriate use of tactical resources and whether the director's personal decisions are straining agency norms.