Hypocrisy… that is what this report is all about.
Most people probably did not realize that the FBI director is always required to travel on the agency's private jet, at least until questions were asked about the travel habits of former FBI Director Christopher Wray.
Even though we have been down this path before, Democrats are reopening a closed door to try to have Kash Patel removed as the current head of the FBI.
When Wray was the agency's director, he came under fire from Republicans for having taken vacation flights on the FBI's private jet.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) was somehow unaware of the aforementioned requirement when he blistered Wray for using the jet to go on vacation. Hawley asked him, "You, you left an oversight hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee required by statute so you could vacation with your family.”
He continued, “I find that absolutely unbelievable and frankly, indefensible. Now, is it your practice to use government planes?"
Wray curtly responded, "I am required, not just permitted, required even for personal travel to use the FBI plane.” And Wray was right, per a 2013 policy called "Executives' Use of Aircraft for Nonmission purposes." The agency's director is required to use the jet for security reasons, but if they or their family use the jet for personal travel, the FBI must be reimbursed for the commercial value of the flight.
Even if people did not know about the policy before the Wray hearing, they surely know it now, yet Democrats are now opening up the same inquiry into Director Patel.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who never misses a chance for a viral video, wrote to Patel, “You used a $60 million government jet for an overnight date with your girlfriend, a Scottish golfing excursion with your buddies, and a trip to a luxury hunting retreat called ‘Boondoggle Ranch.’”
He continued, “Why should American taxpayers be footing the bill for private jets every time you decide to hang out with your golf buddies, see your girlfriend, or go to your ‘boondoggle’ escape?”
Again, as long as Patel is reimbursing the FBI for these flights, there is no issue. And if he is not, that is another story altogether.
The FBI director fired back at the Democrats' allegations, stating, "I've also used the airplane less than my prior two predecessors.”
He continued, "I’m entitled to a personal life just like my other agency counterparts with their partners. Do I support my girlfriend? Absolutely. And do I take trips with her? Absolutely."
Patel later added, "But my predecessors wasted millions of dollars because they were too lazy to drive an extra 20 minutes and go to Andrews Air Force Base. They used D.C. Reagan National as their personal hub, costing the taxpayer $4 million. I shut that policy off and mandated the use of government airfields."
I understand the security concerns. If something happens and Patel is in the air, he cannot ask a commercial jet to turn around and return to D.C., so that is not the problem here. The only issue is whether he is reimbursing the government for the cost of the flights. As long as he is doing that, he is in the clear, and Democrats are again wasting time and money on their fishing expedition.
