Senior Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have opened a formal inquiry into FBI Director Kash Patel over allegations that he used an FBI Gulfstream aircraft for personal travel, including recreational and social trips.
The investigation was initiated after multiple media reports suggested Patel used the government jet to attend non-official events, including a sporting event in Pennsylvania where his girlfriend performed and subsequent travel to Tennessee and Texas. The probe is being led by Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, along with Sydney Kamlager-Dove.
In a formal letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the lawmakers demanded detailed documentation of Patel’s recent travel, including flight logs, passenger lists, and any communications related to the trips.
Pennsylvania and Tennessee Trip Under Scrutiny
According to the lawmakers, Patel flew on October 25 to Pennsylvania State University to watch his girlfriend perform at a wrestling event. The following day, he reportedly returned with her to Nashville using the FBI aircraft. The lawmakers said the trip appeared to have “no visible connection to official FBI responsibilities.”
Texas Ranch Stay Also Questioned
The inquiry also highlights a later trip to San Angelo, Texas, where Patel allegedly spent four days at a luxury hunting property known as Boondoggle Ranch, reportedly hosted by Republican mega-donor Bubba Saulsbury. Lawmakers questioned whether the visit had any legitimate government purpose.
Limits of the Investigation
The FBI has not yet issued a public response to the allegations. While the Democratic members have formally requested documents by December 15, they currently lack subpoena power as the minority party and therefore cannot legally compel compliance.
In their letter, Raskin and Kamlager-Dove emphasized that FBI aircraft are taxpayer-funded assets, writing that government planes “are not personal property but belong to the American people.”
Prior Concerns Over Aircraft Use
This is not the first time Patel’s flight usage has come under review. In May, CBS News reported that Senate Democrats had requested a Government Accountability Office review of his travel. According to that report, Patel had flown multiple times to Las Vegas, where he owns a home, and to Nashville, where his girlfriend resides.
Official Travel Rules
Under executive branch policy, FBI directors must use government aircraft for both official and personal flights to ensure secure communications and emergency readiness. However, all personal travel must be reimbursed at standard commercial airfare rates, including costs for any accompanying companions. While family and friends are permitted to fly along, their transportation expenses must also be repaid.
Lawmakers are now seeking to verify whether Patel followed those reimbursement procedures and whether the recent flights complied with federal ethics and travel regulations.
