A furious Republican senator wants answers from FBI Director Kash Patel, according to a new report.
MS NOW reported Thursday that Republican Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley "demand[ed] that Patel turn over information about his flights on FBI aircraft and about the FBI’s purchase of BMW vehicles, which was first reported in December."
Grassley, the senior senator from Iowa, demanded that Patel provide details.
“For each trip where you used an FBI aircraft for personal travel, have you reimbursed the FBI as required by law?" he asked. "If yes, please provide the records.”
Grassley then sternly demanded, “please explain why you decided to purchase BMW vehicles instead of Chevy Suburbans.”
This represents a change of tone for Grassley, who has stuck up for Patel in public interviews.
Patel, a MAGA loyalist and former intelligence staffer for House Republicans, has had a rocky tenure ever since being appointed to lead the FBI, starting with allegations of personal use of agency aircraft for pleasure trips, and a lack of availability while at work.
A recent bombshell report from The Atlantic portrayed Patel as frequently intoxicated, paranoid, and constantly looking over his shoulder for fear of losing his job. Patel and the bureau have denied all of these allegations, and the FBI chief has sued The Atlantic for $250 million over the story.
