WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Jamie Raskin launched an investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel's use of FBI resources. Separately, Senator Chuck Grassley sent a private letter to Patel on May 5, 2026, requesting documents related to his use of FBI aircraft and other resources.

Durbin and Raskin claimed Patel frequently demanded special perks on official trips, including a VIP snorkeling experience in Hawaii. Their letter stated that Patel engaged in a taxpayer-funded helicopter tour in South Asia and other recreational activities such as jet skiing. The legislators accused Patel of opening an office in New Zealand "in part to justify a sightseeing trip you took there." They also alleged that Patel demoted personnel in Brussels because they did not adequately entertain him, which they claimed stoked fear among agents.

Grassley's May 5 letter asked Patel for a list of each flight taken on an FBI aircraft, their cost, and whether the flights were for personal or official purposes. "For each trip where you used an FBI aircraft for personal travel, have you reimbursed the FBI as required by law?" Grassley wrote. "If yes, please provide the records." Grassley also questioned the bureau's purchase of BMW vehicles instead of Chevy Suburbans and pressed Patel for a cost analysis breakdown of the BMW purchases compared to a similar Chevy Suburban, outlining fuel and storage comparisons. Grassley gave Patel until May 19 to respond to the request.

A senior FBI official stated that the accusations within the letter were false. The official said the trip to Hawaii met all ethics requirements and received public support from the Department of War. The official called the jet skiing and helicopter tour accusations in East Asia false. Regarding the new office in New Zealand, the official said it was an official event and the first new legal attaché office opening in a decade. Concerning personnel demotions in Brussels, the official stated, "personnel are only fired or reassigned based on performance or if they have been found to have undermined the mission. Any suggestion otherwise is false."

The senior FBI official said Patel's use of the FBI jet was consistent with bureau policy and that he had reimbursed all personal travel and expenses, following Office of Management and Budget rules in the same manner as previous FBI directors. The official noted that Patel and other senior government officials are prohibited from flying on commercial airlines. The official also said that the FBI purchased two armored BMWs from the State Department to replace two armored cars that had maintenance issues. These vehicles had been purchased by the State Department and were unused in their warehouse. The FBI's social media post also claimed that Patel's personal travel was lower than that of former Directors Chris Wray and James Comey.

Why It Matters

This inquiry by congressional leaders focuses on the FBI Director, who is subject to specific regulations regarding travel and resource use. A post-9/11 government regulation requires the attorney general and the FBI director to use government aircraft for all travel, including personal trips, to ensure secure communications are always available in case of national security emergencies. Senator Grassley stated, "For decades, regardless of which political party is in the White House, I have worked to ensure that taxpayers dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse."