Grassley Requests Patel’s FBI Flight Records and Details on Armored BMW Purchases

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley sent a private letter dated May 8 to FBI Director Kash Patel requesting detailed records on the director's use of FBI aircraft and the bureau's purchase of armored BMW vehicles, Washington Examiner reported.

The letter asked for a list of every FBI aircraft flight Patel had taken, including departure and destination locations, the cost of each trip, and whether Patel reimbursed the government for any personal travel. It also asked Patel to explain why the FBI purchased BMW vehicles instead of its long-standing practice of using Chevrolet Suburbans and requested a full accounting of the financial impact of the change.

"For decades, regardless of which political party is in the White House, I have worked to ensure that taxpayer dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse," Grassley wrote. He noted that he has subjected FBI directors under both Republican and Democratic administrations to similar oversight. Rep.

Jamie Raskin and Sen. Dick Durbin disclosed on Thursday that Grassley sent the letter. Just weeks after the May 8 letter, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asked Patel for an extensive record of his travels.

Raskin and Durbin wrote in a separate letter to Patel on Wednesday that they appreciated Grassley raising these concerns, which mirror those raised repeatedly by House and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats. The Democrats accused Patel of repeatedly seeking special perks while traveling on official business.

Men's hockey team after its gold medal victory. Patel described the trip to Milan as a needed venture to ensure the United States is prepared for the security needed ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics. Patel and his spokesman Ben Williamson have repeatedly denied any improper use of government resources and have said that Patel reimburses the government for any personal travel aboard FBI aircraft at the equivalent commercial airfare rate.