FBI Director Kash Patel remains unfazed by the latest controversies surrounding his past travels, where he is alleged to have mixed work with personal leisure at government expense. A new report has revealed that during an official work tour across the South Pacific last summer, Patel stopped in Hawaii and participated in a 'VIP snorkel' at one of the military's most sacred sites: the underwater tomb of the USS Arizona, which holds the remains of over 900 Navy sailors who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Details of the Pearl Harbor Snorkeling Incident
According to Navy records, Patel swam near the sunken battleship for approximately 30 minutes. The snorkeling group included nine individuals alongside Patel. While VIP tours near the USS Arizona are common, there is no public record of how many VIPs are permitted to snorkel at the site. Participants were instructed not to touch the sunken vessel in any way.
The FBI defended the visit, stating that top regional commanders hosted Patel at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, as they commonly do with US government officials on official travel. A spokesman for the FBI explained that the Pearl Harbor visit was part of the Director's public national security engagements last August, which included meetings with counterparts in New Zealand, Australia, the Honolulu Field Office, and the Department of War.
Reactions from Veterans and Critics
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from veterans and others who view the site as hallowed ground. Hack Albertson, a Marine veteran, told the Associated Press, "It's like having a bachelor party at a church. It's hallowed ground. It needs to be treated with the solemnity it deserves."
Another Controversial Trip: Country Music Concert in Philadelphia
In a separate incident, Patel traveled to Philadelphia to attend a country music concert with his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins. The couple arrived on a Gulfstream V government jet and were spotted in a private suite that reportedly rented for over $35,000. They watched the performance from their exclusive suite. The New York Times reported that FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson confirmed Wilkins was an invited guest to the event.
Patel's Response to Controversies
Despite the onslaught of controversies and rumors that he has upset President Trump, Patel appears unfazed. He recently posted on social media about the FBI's success in bringing Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi, an Iraqi terrorist, to the United States to face justice.
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