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FBI Director Kash Patel defends personal use of FBI jet amid Dem criticism
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FBI Director Kash Patel pushed again in opposition to Home Democrats investigating his use of the FBI airplane for private causes, insisting he has been a greater steward of taxpayer {dollars} than his predecessors.
“I additionally used the airplane lower than my earlier two predecessors,” Patel mentioned on “The Ingraham Angle” on Tuesday.
“I’ve the appropriate to a private life, similar to my different colleagues on the company, with their companions. Do I help my girlfriend? Completely. And do I journey together with her? Completely.”
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FBI Director Kash Patel speaks throughout a press convention on the White Home on Wednesday, November 12, in Washington, DC (AP Photograph/Evan Vucci)
Home Judiciary Democrats launched an investigation into Patel’s use of the company’s airplane, accusing him of “bringing in U.S. authorities plane for private pleasure rides.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-In poor health., wrote to Patel criticizing him for utilizing the airplane for an “in a single day date,” a visit to a luxurious looking retreat known as “Boondoggle Ranch” and extra.
“Why ought to American taxpayers foot the invoice for personal jets each time you determine to hang around together with your golf buddies, see your girlfriend or go to your ‘Boondoggle’ getaway?” the lawmakers asked.
When Ingraham questioned him, Patel mentioned, “All FBI administrators are necessary customers of the FBI plane.”
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Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., speaks throughout a Home Judiciary Committee listening to with FBI Director Kash Patel (not pictured) on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on September 17. (Annabelle Gordon/Reuters)
“They will not let me fly commercially,” he continued.
“However my predecessors wasted tens of millions of {dollars} as a result of they had been too lazy to drive an additional 20 minutes to get to Andrews Air Pressure Base. They used DC Reagan Nationwide as their private hub, costing taxpayers $4 million. I’ve stopped that coverage and made the usage of authorities airports necessary.”
Patel additional argued that he’s the “solely” FBI director to cross on travel-related data.
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“This data reveals one factor,” he mentioned.
“I’m a steward of taxpayers’ cash. My predecessors weren’t. They could not drive an additional 20 minutes on each journey. I’ll drive an additional hour if it saves a taxpayer a number of additional {dollars}.”