UPDATE: FBI Director Kash Patel has fired Steven Palmer, head of the bureau’s aviation unit, following a scandal involving a government jet used to attend a wrestling event where his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, performed. This dramatic move comes just as Patel faces intense backlash amid a government shutdown affecting millions of Americans.
Flight logs revealed that Patel utilized a government plane for his trip to the Real American Freestyle wrestling event in Pennsylvania, prompting outrage from the public and media. The dismissal of Palmer, a seasoned 27-year FBI veteran, marks the third high-profile firing since Patel became director in February.
“Criticize me all you want, but targeting the people doing great work is a disgrace,” Patel declared on his personal X account. His defense comes in the face of criticism over the optics of using taxpayer-funded resources during a national crisis. Former FBI agent John Nantz noted, “He should have been more circumspect about making this such a public trip.”
Palmer’s termination raised eyebrows as he was reportedly let go due to the public release of the flight data by Flightaware, which detailed Patel’s controversial journey. Following the news, right-wing commentator Kyle Seraphin criticized Patel’s actions, calling them hypocritical given his past remarks about his predecessor, Christopher Wray, who also faced scrutiny for similar behavior.
Patel, who is required by Congress to travel on planes equipped with SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) communications, claimed he reimburses the government for travel costs, although operational expenses remain funded by taxpayers. This revelation comes as Americans grapple with financial hardships due to the ongoing government shutdown.
In response to the escalating situation, Patel defended Wilkins, labeling attacks against her as “cowardly” and harmful to their safety. Wilkins, a country music artist and former child actor, has been embroiled in controversy herself, having previously filed a $5 million lawsuit against Seraphin for defamation.
The fallout from this incident is likely to continue, as Patel faces scrutiny from both the press and social media. Observers are keenly watching how this situation unfolds and what it may mean for Patel’s leadership moving forward.
As the investigation into the flight logs continues, Patel’s actions are under a microscope, with serious implications for both his career and public trust in the FBI. The momentum of this story is expected to grow, making it increasingly relevant for those following the latest developments in government accountability.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story as it develops.
