The purchase of a fleet of armoured BMW vehicles for the personal use of FBI Director Kash Patel has ignited a fresh political firestorm, raising questions about expenditure, propriety, and the use of government resources.
A Less Conspicuous, Cheaper Choice?
According to reports, FBI Director Kash Patel personally requested the bureau acquire several armoured BMW X5 vehicles instead of the traditional armoured Chevrolet Suburban typically used for high-profile security transport. Sources indicate Patel favoured the BMWs as they are less conspicuous for his outings.
An FBI spokesperson, Deputy Assistant for Public Affairs Ben Williamson, confirmed the purchase to media outlets. In a statement on X, Williamson framed the decision as a cost-saving measure, asserting that Patel's choice of vehicle was about $250,000 cheaper per unit than the standard SUV. He claimed this would save taxpayers around $1 million overall for the four-vehicle fleet.
However, the spokesperson declined to provide documentation to substantiate these savings when pressed, dismissing the media inquiry as "the most laughably dishonest framing I have ever seen." The exact comparative costs remain unclear, with one anonymous source suggesting an armoured Suburban costs approximately $480,000—double the alleged price of a new BMW.
Scrutiny Over Personal Use of Agency Resources
This vehicle report surfaces amid ongoing scrutiny of Director Patel's use of FBI resources for personal travel. The controversy centres on his use of the FBI jet for personal reasons, including visits to his girlfriend and attendance at sporting events.
Patel has defended this practice, stating that as FBI director, he is a "required user" of the agency plane due to the need for secure communications, even on personal trips. He told Fox News earlier this month, "They don't let me fly commercially... I am entitled to a personal life."
He further argued that he has implemented cost-saving measures, claiming his predecessors wasted millions by using commercial airports instead of government airfields. Directors are required to reimburse the government for personal trips at a commercial ticket rate.
Political Backlash and Calls for Resignation
The revelations have prompted sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Representative Eric Swalwell, a ranking member on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight, seized on the reports, issuing a statement calling for Patel to step down.
"It's time to KASH OUT," Swalwell wrote, adding, "Director Patel has lost the confidence of the team he must lead. Their leaks are desperate pleas to give them a director who can keep us safe."
The decision to purchase foreign-made luxury vehicles has also been noted as politically ironic, given the steep tariffs on European goods enacted under former President Donald Trump to promote domestic manufacturing.
The dual controversies of the vehicle fleet and personal jet use continue to fuel debates over government spending and accountability under Director Patel's leadership at the FBI.
