U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has released new whistleblower information as part of an ongoing investigation into FBI Director Kash Patel’s use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. The disclosures follow reports that Patel was seen celebrating with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team after their gold medal victory over Canada.
In a letter addressed to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General (OIG), Durbin requested that these agencies expand their current review and consider opening an investigation into what he describes as misuse or mismanagement of government resources by Director Patel. Durbin initially requested a review in May 2025.
Durbin wrote: “Since his confirmation as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel has seemingly engaged in what amounts to irresponsible joyriding on DOJ and FBI-operated aircraft at the expense of the American taxpayer and to the detriment of ongoing Bureau operations. I request that the GAO’s ongoing review address the new information outlined below and that the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) investigate Director Patel’s misuse or mismanagement of government resources.”
The letter also refers to conflicting statements from FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson and Director Patel regarding a trip to Italy.
According to credible whistleblower accounts shared with the Senate Judiciary Committee, Patel’s alleged excessive use and mismanagement of FBI-controlled aircraft reportedly affected or delayed high-profile investigations, including those into shootings involving Charlie Kirk and at Brown University.
Durbin wrote: “However, the Director’s personal leisure activities and travel bucket list should not dictate work travel, nor should it have a material impact on the Bureau’s time-sensitive operations and investigations. Unfortunately, as a credible source described to my staff, the tone was set early during Director Patel’s tenure when he said in a meeting with the field offices last year, ‘If you have golf, hockey, fishing, or hunting and beautiful sights, you’re going to see a lot of me.’ As has been reported, the Director’s frequent misuse of the FBI’s Gulfstream jets for personal travel has even frustrated White House and DOJ senior staff.”
Durbin continued: “Through additional, credible whistleblower disclosures, I have learned how the Director’s decisions related to DOJ or FBI-controlled aircraft have negatively impacted high-profile criminal investigations. For example, in the immediate aftermath of the murder of Charlie Kirk, the FBI’s shooting reconstruction team was asked to fly to Utah to aid the investigation and process the scene. However, the team’s deployment was delayed by at least a day because of a Bureau plane and pilot shortage caused by the Director’s personal flights. FAA rules dictate the maximum flight duty, cumulative travel, and rest periods for pilots, and the FBI team could only travel after the pilots’ mandated rest periods were completed.”
Durbin added: “The Director’s misplaced priorities and poor management of the FBI’s resources—including its aircraft—also harmed the FBI’s ability to respond to the shooting at Brown University on December 13, 2025. Once again, the shooting reconstruction team was set to respond to the scene immediately, but was unable to fly out of Richmond, Virginia, using one of the FBI’s planes. According to a whistleblower, the Director made the call that he wanted the Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) on standby to respond to the shooting. HRT is the FBI’s full time specialized counterterrorism unit and is generally activated for situations that one of the FBI’s 56 SWAT teams cannot handle. Notably, the Boston Field Office, which has responsibility for Providence, Rhode Island, has an enhanced SWAT team, as does the New York Field Office. All the SWAT teams in the region would have been aware of the Brown University shooting and ready to respond if needed—not requiring HRT to be put on standby. The Director’s decision caused immediate confusion because 1) that order was not communicated to HRT; 2) it upended responsibility typically assigned to local field office closest to incident in question—in this case Boston or New York City—to provide immediate support; and 3) it froze aircraft usage by any other FBI team until hold removed. The whistleblower described how team had drive from Quantico Virginia Providence Rhode Island overnight during winter storm reach scene by 9:00 am following morning immediately process evidence.”
Durbin further stated: “It also cannot be ignored that director's latest personal jaunt occurred same weekend armed intruder attempted breach President Trump Mar-a-Lago residence man allegedly carrying gas can shotgun killed scene law enforcement potential threat concerning security breach follows two other assassination attempts President Trump's life since 2024 While director issued statement claiming Bureau 'dedicating all necessary resources' investigating incident will work closely federal state partners not yet known if those resources have been delayed diminished director's misuse mismanagement government resources—as was case Charlie Kirk Brown University shootings”
He concluded by urging both agencies involved in oversight—the GAO and DOJ OIG—to include these findings in their reviews: “As I noted in my previous letter,the Director's frequent unapologetic use DOJ or FBI-controlled aircraft for personal travel raises concerns about whether he is complying with applicable regulations reimbursement requirements non-mission-related travel whether Department sufficient internal controls track enforce those obligations Moreover information provided credible whistleblowers makes clear not only are director's misuse mismanagement these aircraft problematic taxpayers they materially harm mission very agency he has sworn lead As federal law enforcement navigating multiple crises—including Americans facing significant danger after prominent cartel leader killed Mexico—the FBI cannot afford have its resources further stretched by director who views its staff aircraft means support his jet-setting lifestyle.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an important role in reviewing legislation related to constitutional protections and public safety, overseeing federal law enforcement agencies like DOJ and evaluating judicial nominations. Based in Washington D.C., it includes senators from both major political parties and influences civil rights through its legislative responsibilities.
A PDF copy of Durbin's letter is available online.
