FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly took part in a “VIP snorkel” during his Honolulu Field Office visit in Hawaii last summer. A report has suggested that government emails claimed he took part in a military-led outing around the USS Arizona amid rising criticism over his use of an FBI jet. However, an official from the FBI recently stepped forward and defended the outing, criticizing the outlet for portraying it as a vacation rather than an official invitation.
Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip included ‘VIP snorkel,’ claims report
AP News reported that government officials in emails claim that a few days after Kash Patel’s Honolulu field office visit, he participated in a VIP snorkeling excursion around USS Arizona. His outing was allegedly carried out by the military as he was taken to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. But the emails in question haven’t been verified, and it remains unclear if the reports are true.
However, the FBI’s assistant director of public affairs, Ben Williamson, addressed the report published by the outlet, accusing them of wrongly interpreting his official meeting in Hawaii. He slammed, “The AP is attempting to spin an invitation from the Commanding General of Indo Pacom to a military base as a party or vacation, which is so stupid.”
Clarifying more on the event, he added on X (formerly Twitter), “The DoW routinely does these engagements with interagency partners – to include this one – and when he was Chief of staff for DoD in Trump 1, Patel offered the same event for many partners that came to visit. It’s a historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona – not a party.”
According to the FBI, Patel attended the Hawaii meeting to speak with the FBI Honolulu’s local and federal law enforcement community and field personnel. His visit was a part of “his ongoing commitment to supporting frontline efforts and strengthening interagency partnerships.” This was also Patel’s first visit to Honolulu’s field office.
Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on Mandatory.
