FBI Director Kash Patel has been using a luxury armored BMW purchased with taxpayer funds, according to four sources familiar with his transportation arrangements.
The vehicle is an armored BMW X5. Sources said Patel requested the BMWs because he believed they would attract less attention than the Chevrolet Suburbans traditionally used by FBI directors.
FBI Confirms Vehicle Purchase
An FBI spokesperson confirmed the purchase and said the decision was part of a broader review of the bureau’s vehicle fleet.
“Government agencies, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace and update vehicle fleets based on usage, security needs or budgetary decisions,” said FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson. “The specific decisions referenced in this article were evaluated partly as a way to save taxpayers millions by picking cheaper selections or making cost structures more efficient.”
Williamson said the FBI had already planned to acquire updated vehicles. He declined to provide documents showing that the armored BMWs were less expensive than the Chevrolet Suburbans they replaced.
Critics Question Spending Choices
Critics argue the BMW purchase adds to a pattern of questionable spending under Patel’s leadership. They point to previous reports that Patel used the FBI’s Gulfstream jet for personal travel, including trips to see his girlfriend perform in concert.
“He needs a field jacket that fits just right, a ‘Punisher’-inspired challenge coin and a new fleet of foreign cars to drive around in,” said Stacey Young, a former Justice Department official who founded the Justice Connection network of former DOJ employees.
Jet Request and Upgrades
According to MS NOW, Patel earlier asked the FBI to buy a new, more modern jet for his use. Four sources said the request was rejected due to estimated costs ranging from $90 million to $115 million.
After that request was denied, Patel asked for upgrades to the communications equipment on the existing Gulfstream jet. Two sources said the upgrades were needed to provide more reliable internet access during flights so multiple people could be online at the same time.
A person close to Patel denied that the upgrades were for social media use.
“It wasn’t for social media,” the person said. “He rarely, if ever, posts on social media himself. It was because we had multiple secure communications calls, both scheduled and unscheduled, that were dropping on official travel and we needed to fix it.”
Background on Patel’s Appointment
Patel was appointed FBI director by Donald Trump. His tenure has drawn scrutiny over spending decisions and use of government resources, with critics calling for greater transparency about costs borne by taxpayers.
