The Democrats have a new Republican ally in their fight to take down FBI Director Kash Patel.
The GOP Senate Judiciary Chairman, Chuck Grassley, requested more information regarding Patel’s flights and his department’s purchases of BMW’s.
Exclusive: House Democrats want Kash Patel to answer for his spending — but this time they’re not alone https://t.co/IJ8at4GXml
— Ken Dilanian (@KDilanianMSNOW) July 9, 2026
“For each trip where you used an FBI aircraft for personal travel, have you reimbursed the FBI as required by law? If yes, please provide the records,” Grassley wrote in his letter.
Grassley called it an “independent and objective” review and questioned why BMWs were purchased and not “Chevy Suburbans.”
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson defended the purchases in December, “Government agencies, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace and update vehicle fleets based on usage, security needs or budgetary decisions.”
Patel is also being scrutinized for travel expenses, including an alleged “exclusive excursion” snorkel trip at a Pearl Harbor memorial in Hawaii.
“Your VIP snorkeling experience in Hawaii was not an isolated incident,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote in a letter. “You frequently demand special perks on ‘official’ trips around the globe, such as a taxpayer-funded helicopter tour during your multi-country jaunt across East Asia and other recreational activities like jet skiing.”
According to one of the lawmaker’s “sources”, Patel had told inside personnel, “If you have golf, hockey, fishing, or hunting and beautiful sights, you’re going to see a lot of me.”
“This is not the conduct of a committed and faithful public servant, especially one entrusted with ensuring the safety of almost 350 million Americans,” they wrote.
Sen. Charles Grassley, a Republican Trump backer, has requested details on Kash Patel’s use of the FBI jet and his decision to buy BMW SUVs. https://t.co/sowoIIuL5O
— Ken Dilanian (@KDilanianMSNOW) July 9, 2026
The Democrat lawmakers expressed gratitude for Grassley’s help in their investigation.
We “appreciate Chairman Grassley raising these concerns, which mirror those raised repeatedly by House and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats,” the lawmakers stated.
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