FBI Director Kash Patel’s country music singer girlfriend has a security detail made up of elite federal agents, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
Performer Alexis Wilkins is being protected by FBI agents usually assigned to a SWAT team in the bureau's field office in Nashville, where she spends time for her work, and people familiar with security protocols cannot recall any instance where the girlfriends of top FBI officials enjoyed government-staffed security details, reported MS NOW.
“There is no legitimate justification for this," said Christopher O’Leary, a former senior FBI agent and MS NOW contributor. "This is a clear abuse of position and misuse of government resources. She is not his spouse, does not live in the same house or even the same city.”
SWAT team agents assigned to protect Wilkins would presumably be unable to respond or delayed in responding to crises, such as mass shootings or terror attacks, the sources said.
The 26-year-old Wilkins has been dating Patel since 2023 and was at his side when he was sworn in as FBI director earlier this year.
Patel has faced recent criticism for using a $60 million FBI jet last month to watch Wilkins sing the national anthem at a wrestling event in Pennsylvania, despite criticizing his predecessor, Christopher Wray, two years ago for using the plane for personal travel, and he issued a lengthy response to his critics.
“I’ve always said — criticize me all you want," Patel posted on social media. "But going after the people doing great work, my personal life, or those around me is a total disgrace. The disgustingly baseless attacks against Alexis — a true patriot and the woman I’m proud to call my partner in life — are beyond pathetic.
"She is a rock-solid conservative and a country music sensation who has done more for this nation than most will in ten lifetimes. I’m so blessed she’s in my life. Attacking her isn’t just wrong — it’s cowardly and jeopardizes our safety. My love of family will always be my cornerstone, and you will never tear that down or keep me from them.”
The criticism leveled at Patel's use of the FBI jet did not include personal attacks on his girlfriend.