FBI Director Kash Patel is in hot water over what some call a glaring misuse of government muscle to shield his girlfriend, aspiring country singer Wilkins, from threats tied to their romance.
The controversy boils down to Patel’s decision to deploy extensive SWAT protection and even a government jet for Wilkins, while critics from all sides cry foul over diverted resources and hypocrisy given his past stance on such perks.
The Daily Mail reported that for three years, Patel has been dating Wilkins, a rising star in country music who, according to the FBI, has faced hundreds of credible death threats linked to their relationship.
The FBI insists this justifies the protective detail, with agents assigned to guard Wilkins despite grumblings that these resources could tackle graver dangers.
Wilkins herself has shared snippets of vile online abuse on X, making the threats public, though some skeptics argue they don’t warrant such an extravagant response.
Agents, per the Times, often got short notice for these assignments, and some even worried about lacking legal cover for actions taken during these duties—a bureaucratic mess if there ever was one.
Then there’s the government jet—Patel’s been spotted using it to catch Wilkins’ performances, a move that’s got tongues wagging faster than a Nashville fiddle.
He’s also jetted off to a golf outing in Scotland, complete with FBI-coordinated security, advance teams, and round-the-clock “ravens” guarding the plane, as if he’s royalty rather than a public servant.
Patel’s spokesperson, Ben Williamson, defends this, saying, “He's allowed to take personal time on occasion to see family, friends, or his longtime girlfriend. He doesn't do it often.”
Williamson also claims Patel reimburses costs upfront for personal jet use and travels less than predecessors like James Comey or Christopher Wray, but that’s cold comfort to critics smelling double standards.
Back in 2023, Patel himself slammed then-Director Wray for personal jet use, declaring, “We ground that plane or charge $15,000 each time it takes off,” a quip that’s now boomeranging back with a vengeance.
Former senior FBI agent Christopher O'Leary didn’t mince words, telling MS Now, “There is no legitimate justification for this. This is a clear abuse of position and misuse of government resources.”
O’Leary’s critique stings, especially when paired with his point that Wilkins isn’t Patel’s spouse and doesn’t share a home with him, raising questions about why taxpayers are footing this bill.
The backlash isn’t just from career bureaucrats—both Patel’s own party and Democrats are piling on, with some in the GOP quietly fuming over optics while progressives see it as proof of selective protection.
Even amidst the outrage, there’s a sliver of empathy for Wilkins’ safety, but the consensus leans hard toward frustration over resources seemingly cherry-picked for personal gain rather than public good.