Dec 1, 2025 - Politics & Policy

House Democrats investigate Kash Patel's use of FBI jet

Andrew Solender

Kath Patel, wearing a black and brown FBI hat and a black windbreaker, standing in front of several other people wearing military fatigues, police uniforms and suits. — FBI Director Kash Patel makes a statement after two U.S. National Guard members were shot near the White House on Nov. 26. Photo: Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee are investigating FBI Director Kash Patel's reported use of a government jet to visit his girlfriend and take other personal trips, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Patel's leadership of the nation's principal federal law enforcement agency has been under intense scrutiny since before he was even sworn in, and this adds more fuel to the fire.

Patel has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is restricted from traveling on commercial flights and that he reimburses the government for personal travel.
The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

Driving the news: Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) sent Patel a letter Monday demanding he "reimburse the government for non-official travel."

The lawmakers also said they want Patel — who they refer to in the letter as "Director 'Cash' Patel" — to "furnish the public with information regarding any travel on government aircraft by non-officials."
They pointed to reporting alleging that Patel has frequently chartered the agency's Gulfstream G550 to visit his girlfriend — country music singer Alexis Wilkins — as well as to attend fundraisers and sporting events.

Zoom in: Raskin and Kamlager-Dove are demanding Patel turn over all documents relating to travel by non-federal employees on FBI and Justice Department aircraft.

They also want records relating to his travel, an accounting of any reimbursements owed, justifications for each passenger's travel and communications regarding staffing decisions related to those trips.
Patel is reported to have fired a senior FBI official over public revelations about his use of the agency's jet.

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House Democrats investigate Kash Patel's use of FBI jet

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