FBI Fires Top Official Amid Kash Patel's Outrage Over Jet Use for Date Night
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has fired its head of critical incident response, Steven Palmer, amid a firestorm sparked by Director Kash Patel's use of the agency's jet to attend a date night with his girlfriend. The move is the latest in a string of firings under Patel's leadership, who has been criticized for his handling of sensitive cases and his personal use of government resources.
Palmer, a veteran FBI official with 27 years of service, was let go after Director Patel became enraged over press stories revealing he had used the agency's jet to travel to see his girlfriend perform at a wrestling match. The news sparked outrage among some quarters, who questioned the use of taxpayer-funded jets for personal reasons.
Despite public records showing that Patel's flight schedules were fully public and trackable on websites, including Flight Aware, the director claimed that he was "distracted by baseless rumors" and refused to comment further. However, sources close to the agency revealed that Patel had become furious over the press stories and was told that Palmer could resign or be fired.
The FBI's critical incident response group is responsible for handling major security threats and overseeing the agency's fleet of jets. Palmer's dismissal makes him the third head of the unit to be ditched under Patel, following Wes Wheeler in March and Brian Driscoll in August.
Critics have raised questions about the use of government resources for personal purposes, particularly given Director Patel's high-profile criticism of his predecessors' use of such resources. The case has also drawn attention to concerns about the FBI's handling of sensitive cases, including a recent terror plot that Patel claimed had been foiled but which one defense lawyer is disputing.
The controversy surrounding Director Patel's use of the agency's jet for date night raises questions about the accountability and transparency of government agencies. As one former FBI agent noted, "We're in the middle of government shutdown... and this guy is jetting off to hang out with his girlfriend on our dime?"
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has fired its head of critical incident response, Steven Palmer, amid a firestorm sparked by Director Kash Patel's use of the agency's jet to attend a date night with his girlfriend. The move is the latest in a string of firings under Patel's leadership, who has been criticized for his handling of sensitive cases and his personal use of government resources.
Palmer, a veteran FBI official with 27 years of service, was let go after Director Patel became enraged over press stories revealing he had used the agency's jet to travel to see his girlfriend perform at a wrestling match. The news sparked outrage among some quarters, who questioned the use of taxpayer-funded jets for personal reasons.
Despite public records showing that Patel's flight schedules were fully public and trackable on websites, including Flight Aware, the director claimed that he was "distracted by baseless rumors" and refused to comment further. However, sources close to the agency revealed that Patel had become furious over the press stories and was told that Palmer could resign or be fired.
The FBI's critical incident response group is responsible for handling major security threats and overseeing the agency's fleet of jets. Palmer's dismissal makes him the third head of the unit to be ditched under Patel, following Wes Wheeler in March and Brian Driscoll in August.
Critics have raised questions about the use of government resources for personal purposes, particularly given Director Patel's high-profile criticism of his predecessors' use of such resources. The case has also drawn attention to concerns about the FBI's handling of sensitive cases, including a recent terror plot that Patel claimed had been foiled but which one defense lawyer is disputing.
The controversy surrounding Director Patel's use of the agency's jet for date night raises questions about the accountability and transparency of government agencies. As one former FBI agent noted, "We're in the middle of government shutdown... and this guy is jetting off to hang out with his girlfriend on our dime?"
like what's going on at the FBI?! Director Patel using the agency's jet for date nights? 
it's just not right! 27 yrs of service and he gets fired over this? 
that's crazy talk! Palmer was doing his job, handling major security threats... who does Patel think he is? 
I'm so done with this whole thing 
. Can't believe the FBI is losing all these high-level officials under Patel's leadership... what's next?! 
. I feel bad for him though, he had 27 years of service under his belt! Anyway, it's all about accountability and transparency now 
. I'm just curious to know what the FBI's policy on personal use of resources is... should they have been more open about it? 
how can ppl expect transparency when director patel does this?!? like, i get it, ppl have lives but using an FBI JET for date night is just plain crazy! & now he's got another head of critical incident response FIRED over it?!? what's next?!? the guy gets to use the WH jets 4 his vacation? 
& by the way, i don't get why he's so mad ppl are talking about it... like, if u dont wanna talk about it, just say so! 
The FBI's handling of this situation is a real head-scratcher. I mean, come on, 27 years of service and you get the axe over a date night? It just doesn't add up. 
At least this one was pretty easy to track down... thanks for that, Flight Aware! 
but like seriously steven palmer got fired over dir patel's date night drama? 27 yrs of service and he gets the axe just because patel got mad about it? that dont seem right to me. what if ppl had known about patel's flight schedules on flightrackers or sumthin? wouldnt that be like, totally public info? anyway its another example of how gov agencies can get all outta whack when they got drama like this goin on
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. and what's up with all these firings under his leadership? seems like more of a power play than anything else 
. Palmer was a pro with 27 years of service and this is how he gets let go? It just doesn't sit right with me 