Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley has demanded details from FBI Director Kash Patel about his use of government aircraft and purchase of armored vehicles, according to a May 5 letter obtained by House and Senate Democrats and revealed on July 9.
In the letter, Grassley asked Patel to list each flight he took on an FBI aircraft, provide their costs, and specify whether each trip was for personal or official purposes. For any personal travel, Grassley demanded to know whether Patel reimbursed the government as required by law.
Grassley also requested a cost analysis comparing the purchase of five armored BMW SUVs to the standard Chevy Suburbans typically used by the FBI. The Republican chairman gave Patel until May 19 to respond to the voluntary request.
The demand comes amid reports that Patel took a VIP snorkel trip at Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial during an official visit to Hawaii in summer 2025. Government emails obtained by the Associated Press show Patel participated in what was described as a “VIP snorkel” session at the historic site.
In response, the FBI stated that Patel has reimbursed the government for all of his personal travel and is “fully compliant” with the law. The bureau defended the BMW purchase, saying the armored vehicles were purchased by the State Department and cost $270,000 less per vehicle than armored Chevy Suburbans.
Grassley’s oversight mirrors his scrutiny of previous FBI directors. In 2022, House Republicans, including then-members who now hold different positions, investigated former FBI Director Christopher Wray’s use of government aircraft for personal travel, including trips to the Adirondacks. Grassley has noted that he has “worked to ensure that taxpayers dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse” regardless of which political party is in the White House.
The scrutiny carries particular weight given Patel’s own prior criticism of Wray’s travel. In 2024, appearing on Glenn Beck’s podcast, Patel said: “Chris Wray doesn’t need a government-funded G-5 jet to go to vacation. Maybe we ground that plane — $15,000 every time it takes off.” However, federal regulations require the FBI director to use government aircraft for all travel, including personal trips, to ensure the director maintains secure communications with the president in case of national security emergencies.
Sources
- The Hill — Grassley’s May 5 letter to Patel, his demands for flight logs and BMW cost analysis, and FBI’s statement on reimbursement compliance
- CNN — Details of Grassley’s letter requesting itemized flights, costs, and BMW purchase breakdown; post-9/11 regulation requiring FBI director aircraft use
- Associated Press — Government emails showing Patel’s VIP snorkel trip at USS Arizona Memorial during Hawaii visit
