{"id":2516339,"date":"2025-12-01T19:55:02","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T00:55:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-open-inquiry-into-patels-use-of-fbi-jet\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T19:57:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T00:57:10","slug":"democrats-open-inquiry-into-patels-use-of-fbi-jet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-open-inquiry-into-patels-use-of-fbi-jet\/","title":{"rendered":"Democrats open inquiry into Patel\u2019s use of FBI jet"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdemocrats-open-inquiry-into-patels-use-of-fbi-jet%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2516339&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>House Democrats have launched an investigation into FBI Director Kash PatelS use of a government jet, accusing him of repeatedly using the aircraft for personal trips during the government shutdown. In a letter, Democratic representatives Jamie Raskin adn Sydney Kamlager-dove cited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-gretchen-whitmer-used-private-jet-borrowed-from-billionaires-to-travel-to-florida-during-covid-crisis\/\" title=\"Report: Gretchen Whitmer Used Private Jet Borrowed From Billionaires To ... To Florida During COVID Crisis\">flight records<\/a>, internal accounts, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald Trump\">social media posts<\/a>, and news reports to support their claims. They highlighted instances such as Patel flying to Pennsylvania to attend his girlfriend&#8217;s wrestling event and traveling to a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >luxury hunting resort<\/a> in Texas. The investigation also notes Patel&#8217;s firing of a senior FBI agent overseeing aviation operations amid the scrutiny and allegations that Patel tried to obscure the jet&#8217;s travel by removing it from public tracking systems. Democrats are demanding detailed travel records, reimbursements, internal communications, and explanations related to Patel&#8217;s use of government aircraft, with a response deadline of december 15. Patel denies wrongdoing, claiming restrictions on commercial travel and that he reimburses the government for personal use. Though, Democrats face challenges in enforcing compliance as Republicans control the Judiciary Committee.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Democrats open inquiry into Patel&rsquo;s use of FBI jet<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2412967\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>House <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\">Democrats<\/a> opened an investigation Monday into <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI<\/a> Director <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/kash-patel\/\">Kash Patel<\/a>&rsquo;s use of a government jet, accusing him of repeatedly taking the aircraft on personal trips during the government shutdown and demanding that he reimburse taxpayers and turn over detailed travel records.<\/p>\n<p>In a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/democrats-judiciary.house.gov\/sites\/evo-subsites\/democrats-judiciary.house.gov\/files\/evo-media-document\/2025-12-01-raskin-kamlager-dove-to-patel-fbi-re-plane.pdf\">letter<\/a> to Patel, House Judiciary Committee ranking Reps. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jamie-raskin\/\">Jamie Raskin<\/a> (D-MD) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2868521\/california-voters-break-streak-women-senate\/\">Sydney Kamlager-Dove<\/a> (D-IL) said flight records and internal accounts show Patel frequently used the FBI&rsquo;s Gulfstream G550 for nonofficial excursions. Their allegations also rely on social media posts and other news articles referenced in the letter.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3903280\/appeals-court-allows-new-york-pregnancy-centers-to-promote-abortion-reversal-claims\/\">Appeals court allows New York pregnancy centers to promote abortion reversal claims<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3903325\/doj-immigration-judge-lawsuit-bondi-sex-discrimination\/\">Fired DOJ immigration judge sues Bondi over alleged sex discrimination<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3903087\/texas-ken-paxton-investigation-shein\/\">Texas opens investigation into fast-fashion giant Shein<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a press conference following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The lawmakers say Patel used the FBI jet on Oct. 25 to fly to Pennsylvania for what they described as an overnight date, attending his girlfriend&rsquo;s performance at a wrestling event at Penn State University before flying with her to Nashville the next day. They also pointed to <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/politics\/policy\/kash-patel-private-jet-flights-fbi-197da8fd\">a report<\/a>&nbsp;from the&nbsp;<em>Wall Street Journal<\/em>&nbsp;that Patel traveled to Boondoggle Ranch, a luxury Texas hunting resort, on the same weekend<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>The letter further states that Patel responded to public scrutiny <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bloomberglaw.com\/ip-law\/fbi-ousts-leader-as-kash-patel-fumes-over-attention-to-agency-jet-use\">by firing Special Agent Steven Palmer<\/a>, a 27-year veteran of the bureau who was then leading the Critical Incident Response Group, the division responsible for overseeing aviation operations and crisis deployments. The lawmakers linked the firing to subsequent instability inside CIRG, which they noted occurred just days before <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/business\/2025\/11\/04\/dca-flights-ground-stop-bomb-threat\/\">bomb threats at Reagan National Airport<\/a> forced flights to halt for more than an hour.<\/p>\n<p>Raskin and Kamlager-Dove further alleged that Patel attempted to conceal his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pete-buttigieg-ignored-warnings-from-state-attorneys-general-on-holiday-airline-travel\/\" title=\"Pete Buttigieg ignores warnings from state attorneys general on holiday airline ...\">future travel plans<\/a> by removing the FBI jet from public flight-tracking systems, and then continued to fly to Nashville for personal reasons. They also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/listen-to-yale-law-school-administrators-tell-a-student-his-affiliation-with-the-federalist-society-is-triggering-for-classmates\/\" title=\"Listen to Yale Law School Administrators Tell a Student His Affiliation With the Federalist Society Is \u2018Triggering\u2019 for Classmates\">cited allegations<\/a> that Patel used government aircraft for a private golf trip to Scotland with several friends. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The lawmakers are demanding that Patel produce records of all nonfederal passengers on FBI and Justice Department aircraft, reimbursements owed and paid, internal communications regarding travel, and justifications for each passenger.<\/p>\n<p>They also want documents related to staffing decisions tied to aviation oversight and any discussions about acquiring new aircraft during the current administration. Their deadline for Patel&rsquo;s response is Dec. 15.<\/p>\n<p>Patel has denied abusing government aircraft, saying he is restricted from commercial travel and reimburses the government for any personal use.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3902642\/bongino-defends-fbi-leadership-amid-negative-headlines\/\">BONGINO DEFENDS FBI LEADERSHIP AMID SERIES OF NEGATIVE HEADLINES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Democrats have limited tools to compel Patel to act as Republicans control the Judiciary Committee. As the minority party, they cannot issue subpoenas on their own, schedule oversight hearings, or force document production without the chairman&rsquo;s approval.<\/p>\n<p>The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>reached out to the FBI for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Democrats probe Patel&#8217;s personal use of FBI jet, demand records<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2516340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25330790544170.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3685,8271,51054],"class_list":["post-2516339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democrats","tag-inquiry","tag-patel-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25330790544170.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2516339"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2516343,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2516339\/revisions\/2516343"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2516340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2516339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2516339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2516339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}