Magaziner Statement on Kash Patel’s Personal Aircraft Use Delaying Response to Brown University Shooting

WARWICK, RI - Today, U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02) released the following statement in response to whistleblower reports that FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged personal use of a government aircraft impeded the FBI's response to the Brown University shooting.

According to MS NOW, Patel traveled to South Florida on just one of two jets that could be used to transport the FBI's elite evidence response team to Rhode Island, and he ordered the other plane to be held for another team that would not normally respond to the scene. This required the elite evidence team to drive through the night amid a snowstorm to reach the scene, delaying their arrival.

"It is completely unacceptable that Rhode Islanders' lives may have been placed in greater danger after the Brown University shooting because Kash Patel used a taxpayer funded FBI aircraft to go on vacation instead of making it available to investigators needed to respond to the Brown shooting.

This would not be the only time Patel has inappropriately used a government aircraft, but it is an especially egregious case that may have put Rhode Islanders' lives in danger. This matter must be fully investigated, and Patel must be held accountable."