Republican Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley is investigating FBI Director Kash Patel’s alleged misuse of taxpayer money on lavish travel and personal projects.
Grassley wrote a letter to Patel in May asking for more information about his taxpayer-funded flights and purchase of BMW vehicles as head of the FBI, which was revealed in a letter this week from Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. Durbin first sent a letter about Patel’s activities to federal officials in February.
Raskin and Durbin wrote they “appreciate Chairman Grassley raising these concerns, which mirror those raised repeatedly by House and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats.”
Grassley said Thursday that Democrats are “riding his coattails” and criticized his colleagues for not holding past directors accountable under Democratic administrations. Grassley emphasized in his letter that he’s held FBI leaders of both parties to account.
I see Dems r riding my coattails &suddenly showing interest in doing oversight of FBI aircraft Where was that energy w Wray&other directors??? My oversight is the same no matter the admin UNLIKE Dems who only seem interested in oversight when it benefits them politically
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) July 9, 2026
“For each trip where you used an FBI aircraft for personal travel, have you reimbursed the FBI as required by law? If yes, please provide the records,” Grassley’s letter asked.
Grassley, who has defended and praised Patel in the past, requested that his transportation be subject to an “independent and objective review.” He also questioned why the FBI opted to purchase BMW vehicles rather than Chevy Suburbans, which has previously been standard.
“Government agencies, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace and update vehicle fleets based on usage, security needs or budgetary decisions,” said FBI Spokesman Ben Williamson last year.
In their letter, Raskin and Durbin referenced a whistleblower that claimed Patel told field office personnel last year, “If you have golf, hockey, fishing, or hunting and beautiful sights, you’re going to see a lot of me.”
Durbin’s February letter highlighted Patel’s trip to the Olympics, during which he celebrated in the locker room with the American hockey team after their gold medal win. He’s also been accused of using his FBI jet to travel to his girlfriend’s country music concerts on the taxpayer’s dime.
The allegations have drawn the ire of Democrats for much of Patel’s term leading the FBI. He has repeatedly denied any misconduct.
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