UPDATE: FBI Director Kash Patel has fired top aviation official Steven Palmer following backlash over his use of a government jet to attend a wrestling date with his girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, during an ongoing government shutdown. This shocking development comes just hours after flight logs revealed the trip to a Pennsylvania event, where Wilkins performed the national anthem.
On Saturday, Patel terminated Palmer, a 27-year veteran of the FBI and head of the bureau’s Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), igniting a firestorm of criticism. Patel’s decision to fly on a government plane for personal reasons while many Americans face financial difficulties has drawn intense scrutiny from both media and the public.
In a heated response shared via his personal X account, Patel dismissed critics as “uninformed internet anarchists” and claimed attacks on his personal life and those close to him are “cowardly.” He stated, “I’ve always said — criticize me all you want. But going after the people doing great work, my personal life, or those around me is a total disgrace.”
This incident marks the third dismissal of a CIRG head since Patel took over the bureau in February. The controversy escalated after controversial whistleblower and right-wing commentator Kyle Seraphin criticized Patel’s social media sharing of the trip, calling it a “hypocritical” move amid public outcry.
Although Patel is a “required use traveler” mandated to fly with SCIF communications, the optics of his trip have raised eyebrows. While he reimburses the FBI for the cost of the flight, taxpayer money still covers operational expenses, including fuel and landing fees. Former FBI agent John Nantz remarked that Patel should have been more discreet about publicizing such a trip during a government shutdown, stating, “I think he should have been a little more circumspect about making this such a public trip.”
The backlash intensified last week when Seraphin alleged that the FBI initiated an internal investigation into leaks regarding Patel’s trip, despite Seraphin primarily using publicly available information. He has been vocal about Patel’s actions on his podcast, “The Kyle Seraphin Show,” claiming Patel is failing to uphold his reputation.
Defending his girlfriend amid the controversy, Patel described Wilkins as “a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation,” asserting that attacks against her are harmful and jeopardize safety. Wilkins previously filed a $5 million lawsuit against Seraphin in August, responding to accusations of her being a “honeypot” and an Israeli spy.
As this situation continues to unfold, Patel’s leadership and decision-making at the FBI are under unparalleled scrutiny. The public and media will be closely monitoring any further developments, especially regarding the ongoing backlash and potential implications for Patel’s tenure as FBI director.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
