FBI Director Kash Patel pushed back Friday against media criticism surrounding his taxpayer-backed travel, responding directly to an MSNBC opinion piece that questioned whether he could continue to rely on President Donald Trump’s support.
Patel took aim at the article in a post on X, sharing a screenshot of a column by MSNBC’s Hayes Brown titled, “Kash Patel Can’t Count on Donald Trump’s Protection Forever.”
The social media response came as Patel continues to face scrutiny over his travel and agency expenditures. It also followed reports that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Democrats in requesting additional information regarding Patel’s flights and the FBI’s purchase of BMW vehicles.
Brown’s column argued that Grassley, who the writer said has often defended Patel publicly, appeared to be taking a closer look at the FBI director’s activities.
In the opinion piece, Brown wrote that Grassley has frequently “had Patel’s back in public” before suggesting Patel should avoid drawing additional attention.
“Common sense should tell Patel this would be a perfect opportunity to lay low — but the odds that he’ll heed this flashing warning light are slim,” Brown wrote.
The column also argued that Grassley’s interest in Patel’s travel did not necessarily indicate immediate political consequences but could lead to increased scrutiny.
“Grassley’s interest in the director living it up doesn’t spell Patel’s immediate downfall,” Brown wrote. “It does, however, open the door to the kind of scrutiny he’s managed to avoid from Republicans despite multiple screwups.”
Patel responded by posting the screenshot of the article on X along with a sharply worded message aimed at the media outlet.
The exchange comes after months of public attention surrounding Patel’s travel while serving as FBI director.
Among the trips that received attention was Patel’s visit to Milan, Italy, in February. After Team USA captured the Olympic gold medal, Patel posted a photograph on social media showing himself inside the team’s locker room during the celebration.
Video from the celebration also showed Patel drinking a beer as Team USA celebrated its 2-1 overtime victory over Team Canada.
Another trip that drew scrutiny occurred last summer when Patel traveled to Hawaii.
During that visit, Patel participated in what the article described as a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. The memorial serves as the resting place for more than 900 sailors and Marines who were killed during the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.
According to the article, snorkeling is generally not permitted near the memorial, making the excursion unusual.
Questions surrounding Patel’s travel have continued alongside broader inquiries into agency spending.
Reports this week indicated that Grassley joined Democratic lawmakers in seeking additional details regarding Patel’s flights as well as the FBI’s purchase of BMW vehicles.
Despite the scrutiny, officials have said Patel has reimbursed the FBI for travel that was personal in nature.
Patel’s latest response on social media signals that he is pushing back publicly against criticism from the press as questions about his travel and agency expenditures continue to receive attention.
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