FBI Director Kash Patel is facing fresh scrutiny after a report revealed he took a VIP snorkeling trip around the USS Arizona during a visit to Pearl Harbor last summer. The Associated Press reported Thursday that Patel made a previously undisclosed trip to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, citing government emails obtained by the outlet.
The USS Arizona memorial, a hallowed site honoring the 1,177 sailors and Marines who died during Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, typically restricts diving around the sunken vessel. Exceptions are made only for marine archaeologists and National Park Service crews, though the NPS and Navy have occasionally allowed select dignitaries to swim there.
FBI Defends Trip as Routine Engagement
Ben Williamson, the FBI's assistant director for public affairs, pushed back hard against the report in a social media post Thursday. He accused the AP of spinning an invitation from the commanding general of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command as a party or vacation, calling the characterization “so stupid.”
“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,” Williamson wrote. “It’s a historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona – not a party.”
An FBI spokesperson told The Hill that U.S. Indo-Pacific leaders offered to host Patel and his team as they commonly do with U.S. government officials on official travel. “This was part of the Director’s public national security engagements last August with counterparts in New Zealand, Australia, our Honolulu Field Office, and the Department of War,” the spokesperson said.
Patel's Conduct Under Fire
The Pearl Harbor episode adds to a growing list of controversies surrounding Patel's tenure as FBI director. Earlier this year, he faced backlash after joining the U.S. men's hockey team in the locker room to celebrate their Olympic victory. Patel defended the move, writing on social media that he was there to celebrate his “friends.”
In April, Patel sued The Atlantic over a report that he feared losing his job and was difficult to reach after nights of alleged excessive drinking. The lawsuit came amid broader scrutiny of his leadership, including a Senate grilling over a $12.5 billion budget request and questions about his conduct.
The drinking allegations have also been a recurring theme. Senator Chris Van Hollen recently released his own alcohol test results and challenged Patel to do the same, while a recent SNL cold open mocked Patel alongside other officials over drinking scandals.
Critics have also raised concerns about Patel's personal habits. House Democrats mocked Patel's personalized bourbon, citing security risks, and the director has faced questions about his judgment in high-profile settings.
The Pearl Harbor report is likely to intensify calls for transparency from Patel, who has sought to project an image of discipline and respect for the institutions he oversees. Whether the snorkeling trip was a respectful homage or a questionable perk remains a matter of political debate.
