Schumer, Durbin, Hirono Press For Answers On Kash Patel Abuse Of Taxpayer Dollars

Following Reports Of FBI Director Kash Patel's VIP Snorkeling Tour Of The USS Arizona Memorial At Pearl Harbor, Leader Schumer, Whip Durbin, And Senator Hirono Demand An Investigation And Transparency On Cost To Taxpayers

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) pressed the Trump administration about FBI Director Kash Patel's misuse and mismanagement of FBI resources at the taxpayer's expense, including a recently revealed 'VIP snorkeling' trip in Pearl Harbor.

On the heels of reporting revealing FBI Director Kash Patel's exclusive snorkeling excursion of Pearl Harbor, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) are pushing the Trump administration to reveal more details about Patel's abuse of taxpayer dollars and demanding the Department of Justice Inspector General (DOJ IG) investigate his wasteful trip.

In a pair of oversight letters to the FBI Director and the DOJ IG, the Senators seek to uncover the cost to taxpayers from Patel's August 2025 visit to Hawaii for what government officials themselves described as a "VIP snorkeling" excursion around the restricted USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. The Senators' oversight effort shines a light on Patel's irresponsible use of taxpayer money and disrespect for the sailors honored and entombed at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

"We write to request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provide itemized details on all your personal travel and all your non-official business during official travel and while utilizing FBI resources," the Senators wrote to FBI Director Patel. "Since your confirmation, report after report has emerged of apparent exploitation of your 'required use' designation and your title for extensive personal travel and to garner VIP access to events. Most recently, reporting has emerged of your VIP snorkeling excursion around the USS Arizona at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on your way back to Las Vegas from official visits to New Zealand and Australia."

Considering this potentially stunning misuse of government funds, the Senators are demanding full transparency and are pushing the DOJ IG to investigate the misuse and mismanagement of FBI resources at the expense of the American taxpayer and FBI operations.

"The role of FBI Director requires a serious responsibility that requires dedication to ensuring the safety and protection of the American people. It is not a VIP pass for private excursions or taxpayer-subsidized leisure travel," the Senators wrote to the DOJ IG. "For the entirety of his tenure, reports have detailed an unconscionable pattern of Director Patel taking personal privileges under the guise of government business, even at the expense of mission readiness."

The Senators' effort follows numerous reports about Patel's abuse of government resources. Leader Schumer was critical of Patel's nomination from the beginning, urged the Senate not to confirm someone so dangerously unqualified to lead the FBI, and has called for Patel to resign. Additionally, Leader Schumer and Senator Durbin demanded that the FBI and the Department of Justice immediately preserve all existing and future records and materials related to the incidents, allegations, and underlying events described in reporting by The Atlantic, as well as any related internal complaints, investigations, or discussions.

The full text of the letter to the DOJ IG can be seen [download/dojig-letter-kash-patel-vip-snorkeling]here and the text of the letter to Director Patel is [/download20260529-fbi-letter-kash-patel-vip-snorkel]here. Both letters are also shared below.

***

Dear Assistant Inspector General O'Neill:

We write to urgently renew requests for your office to review credible reports of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel's continued misuse and mismanagement of FBI resources at the expense of the American taxpayer and ongoing Bureau operations. Recent reports indicate that while returning to his Las Vegas home from official visits to Australia and New Zealand in August 2025, Director Patel enjoyed a stopover in Hawaii. These reports revealed that, while purportedly on official business, Director Patel participated in a VIP snorkeling excursion near the restricted USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.1

This excursion fits a broader pattern: instead of staying laser-focused on keeping Americans safe during a time of unauthorized war with Iran, persistent racially-motivated violent extremism, increasing domestic terrorism threats, and increasing concerns over cyberattacks and foreign interference, Director Patel remains focused on cultivating his personal brand2 and soliciting exclusive access to VIP perks3 while saddling taxpayers with the bill for the resources his glamorous holidays require.

The role of FBI Director is a serious responsibility that requires dedication to ensuring the safety and protection of the American people. It is not a VIP pass for private excursions or taxpayer subsidized leisure travel. For the entirety of his tenure, reports have detailed an unconscionable pattern of Director Patel taking personal privileges under the guise of government business, even at the expense of mission readiness. As Ranking Member Durbin made clear in his February 24, 2026 letter to your office about earlier reports of Director Patel's misuse and mismanagement of the FBI's Gulfstream jets for personal travel, the FBI Director is typically a designated "required use" traveler "due to their need for special protective security measures and secure communications while in flight," but "the Director's personal leisure activities and travel bucket list should not dictate work travel, nor should it have an impact on the Bureau's time-sensitive operations and investigations."4 Your office has still not responded to this letter.

These concerns are exacerbated by the continued lack of transparency regarding the planning, authorization, and purpose of activities conducted during "official" trips. Given the myriad unanswered questions about these activities, we request that you confirm that you are investigating the issues in the February 24, 2026 request and that this work includes Director Patel's trip to Hawaii sojourn in August 2025.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer, Maize K. Hirono, Richard J. Durbin

***

Dear Director Patel:

We write to request that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provide itemized details on all your personal travel and all your non-official business during official travel and while utilizing FBI resources. Since your confirmation, report after report has emerged of apparent exploitation of your "required use" designation and your title for extensive personal travel and to garner VIP access to events. Most recently, reporting has emerged of your VIP snorkeling excursion around the USS Arizona at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on your way back to Las Vegas from official visits to New Zealand and Australia.1

During Director Wray's tenure as FBI Director, you heavily criticized his personal travel, arguing "[y]ou don't need a government funded G-5 jet so you can fly off to the Adirondacks for vacation and fail to do your duty under the Constitution."2 Yet, since your confirmation report after report has detailed an unconscionable pattern of taking personal privileges under the guise of government business, even at the expense of mission readiness. As noted in a previous letter from Senator Durbin, credible whistleblower disclosures reveal how your irresponsible joyriding on Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI-operated aircraft have negatively impacted high-profile criminal investigations.3 While we recognize the unique security needs of the FBI Director, similar questions must be raised about this recent trip.

Therefore, we demand the following information by June 12, 2026:

1. A detailed list of all personal travel you have taken since confirmation as FBI Director,

including form(s) of travel, number of days in each destination, and each activity

requiring security measures for your safety.

2. A detailed list of all non-official business enjoyed during official travel, including

form(s) of travel, number of days the official travel was extended for non-official

business, and each non-official activity requiring security measures for your safety.

3. A summary of the total cost to taxpayers for each item detailed in Questions 1 and 2.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer, Maize K. Hirono, Richard J. Durbin

###