FBI ousts crisis unit chief after scrutiny over Patel’s jet trip

The FBI has removed Steven Palmer, head of its elite Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), following public scrutiny of Director Kash Patel’s use of a bureau jet, according to Bloomberg Law.  A job posting to replace Palmer appeared online shortly after the reports surfaced.

The FBI declined to confirm to Bloomberg Law whether the two events were directly related.

Timeline and tensions

Bloomberg Law, citing three people familiar with the matter, reported that Palmer’s ouster came after Patel expressed anger over media coverage of his Oct. 25 flight. Flight logs showed an FBI jet landed near Penn State, where Patel’s girlfriend — country singer Alexis Wilkins — performed the national anthem. 

Patel later reposted photos of them together on X.

In a statement on X, he defended Wilkins. He called the attacks “disgustingly baseless” and said he was proud to call her his partner.

Travel rules and reactions

FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson defended Patel’s travel, explaining that FBI directors are “required use” travelers who must fly on government aircraft, even for personal trips, to maintain secure communications. 

Williamson said Patel reimburses the government for personal flights, has “significantly limited” such travel and remains “on duty 24/7.”

He added that Patel has reduced costs by using government airfields and dismissed the criticism as “disingenuous and dumb.”

Inside the CIRG shakeup

The FBI hasn’t confirmed whether Palmer’s removal was linked to the jet controversy. However, sources told Bloomberg Law the move was “at least partially” tied to Patel’s anger over the coverage.

Those sources also questioned why Palmer — a 27-year FBI veteran — would be blamed. They noted that Patel’s travel was publicly traceable and that he had personally shared photos from the event.

Palmer’s departure marks the third leadership change at CIRG since Patel became director, following Wes Wheeler in March and Brian Driscoll in August. 

Devin Kowalski, previously with the San Juan branch, is now listed as running the group. Bloomberg Law reported that Kowalski had already been chosen as the permanent head before the controversy, with Palmer expected to stay on as his deputy.

What independent review is being sought?

In May, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., asked the Government Accountability Office to update its 2013 audit of Justice Department aircraft use. He called for a new review examining whether the department is properly tracking reimbursements, complying with travel rules and maintaining adequate internal controls.

Durbin’s request followed reports about Patel’s travel.

“Some of these flights appear to coincide with official business,” Durbin said, “but it is not clear whether all travel was mission-related or personal in nature.”

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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief

Ella Greene

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