Aspiring country music singer Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, has publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his attendance at the Winter Olympics, where he was seen celebrating with the US men's hockey team. Wilkins, 27, used her Rumble show "Between the Headlines" to dismiss conservative criticism, accusing those angered of falling "victim to the fake news" and asserting that the FBI was legitimately "providing security" at the event in Milan.
Wilkins Defends Patel's Presence at Olympics
In response to questions about Patel allegedly misusing government resources to drink beer with the US hockey team after their gold medal win against Canada, Wilkins stated, "What I will say is the Bureau has long-been in charge of providing security for the Olympics and that's what was happening." She did not cite specific news outlets but implied that media reports had inaccurately portrayed her 46-year-old boyfriend's four-day trip, which included watching the final and celebrating in the locker room with Team USA.
Patel's Justification and FBI Statement
Patel has defended his actions, claiming he was "invited" to join the locker room celebration after the US victory. Following the win, he facilitated a conversation between the team and President Donald Trump, who then invited the players to the State of the Union address. FBI Spokesperson Ben Williamson supported Patel's position, stating that the trip had been planned for months with scheduled meetings and security briefings focused on counterterrorism coordination, transnational crime enforcement, and Olympic security planning with allies.
However, an internal schedule obtained by the New York Times revealed that Patel had hours of downtime between work commitments, including meet-and-greets, private meals, and "cultural activities." Williamson condemned the leak of this schedule as a "criminal act that jeopardizes security and will not be taken lightly."
Broader Controversies and Management Criticisms
Since his appointment as FBI director, Patel has faced allegations of misusing the FBI jet for personal travel, including visits to Wilkins. He has argued that, as director, he is required to use the jet for both personal and business travel, with reimbursement for personal trips at commercial ticket rates. Additionally, whistleblowers have criticised Patel's management style, accusing him of prioritising his public image and pleasing Trump over effective Bureau leadership. The FBI and Patel have denied these claims, maintaining that his actions are within protocol.
Wilkins concluded her remarks by expressing frustration with the media's role in the uproar, saying, "I think people run things in the media in order to cause an outrage and I've never seen so many conservatives fall victim to the fake news." The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Patel's public engagements and his official duties, sparking debate over the appropriateness of such activities for a high-ranking law enforcement official.
