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Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel is seen at his Feb. 21 swearing-in as his girlfriend Alexis Wilkins holds the Bhagavad Gita in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)

Fact Check: Kash Patel Was Actually Following Regulations When He Took FBI Jet on Personal Visit

By Randy DeSoto November 3, 2025 at 1:23pm

Those criticizing FBI Director Kash Patel for taking an agency jet to go see his girlfriend, country music star Alexis Wilkins, perform recently need to know that he was complying with federal regulations.

Patel is what is known as a “required use” passenger.

The Government Accountability Office explained in 2013, “[attorneys general] and FBI Directors are ‘required use’ travelers who are required by executive branch policy to use government aircraft for all their travel, including travel for personal reasons, because of security and communications needs.”

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Randy DeSoto

Contributing Journalist

SummaryMore Biographical InformationRecent PostsContact

Randy DeSoto has written more than 4,000 articles for The Western Journal since he began with the company in 2015. He is a graduate of West Point and Regent University School of Law. He is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths" and screenwriter of the political documentary "I Want Your Money."

@RandyDeSoto

Randy DeSoto wrote and was the assistant producer of the documentary film "I Want Your Money" about the perils of Big Government, comparing the presidencies of Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. Randy is the author of the book "We Hold These Truths," which addresses how leaders have appealed to beliefs found in the Declaration of Independence at defining moments in our nation's history. He has been published in several political sites and newspapers.

Randy graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a BS in political science and Regent University School of Law with a juris doctorate.

Birthplace

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Nationality

American

Honors/Awards

Graduated dean's list from West Point

Education

United States Military Academy at West Point, Regent University School of Law

Books Written

We Hold These Truths

Professional Memberships

Virginia and Pennsylvania state bars