FBI Director Kash Patel Criticised For Sending SWAT Officers To Protect Girlfriend | World News

A recent incident involving FBI Director Kash Patel and his girlfriend, aspiring country singer Alexis Wilkins, has raised questions about the use of federal resources for personal protection. According to the NYT, Patel ordered two FBI SWAT officers to escort Wilkins during his performance of The Star-Spangled Banner at the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention in Atlanta earlier this year.

The two officers, part of a special tactical team trained for high-risk missions such as rescuing hostages and breaching barricaded buildings, were assigned to ensure Wilkins’ safety. The event took place at the Georgia World Congress Center, a venue already secured for the NRA convention.

Officers assessed the situation, determined no immediate threat to Wilkins, and left the area before the incident ended, NYT reported.

Both Wilkins and Patel reportedly noticed the officers’ departure. Shortly thereafter, Patel confronted his platoon commander, criticizing his decision to deprive his girlfriend of FBI protection. He was also said to be disturbed by what he saw as a lack of communication regarding the officers’ actions during the incident.

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Defense Decision from FBI and Patel’s Spokesperson

Patel’s spokesman, Ben Williamson, defended the use of protective detail, saying Wilkins had received “hundreds of credible death threats” because of his relationship with the FBI director. He disputed claims that Wilkins was safe at the NRA convention and called some criticism “bad faith.”

In a brief statement, the FBI said: “Out of respect for your safety, we will not be providing additional details.” Wilkins previously shared screenshots of threats he received online, including messages encouraging violence against him. According to the NYT, one of the threats was dated February 22, 2025, one day after Patel was officially sworn in as FBI director.

According to reports, Patel had previously used the FBI plane for personal reasons, such as visiting Wilkins and going on pleasure trips.