FBI Director Kash Patel Under Investigation for Allocating SWAT Protection to Girlfriend Alexis Wilkins

FBI Director Kash Patel has come under investigation following reports that he authorized SWAT teams and government resources to provide security for his girlfriend, country music performer Alexis Wilkins.

Former senior FBI agent Christopher O'Leary told MS NOW there was "no legitimate justification for this," emphasizing that Wilkins was "not his spouse, does not live in the same house or even the same city."

In statements to The NY Times, O'Leary criticized Patel's leadership, saying his "abusive and excessive use of the GV Jet for his personal adventures and the assignment of SWAT-qualified special agents to guard his girlfriend are indicative of his lack of leadership experience, judgment and humility."

A notable incident occurred at the National Rifle Association's annual convention in Atlanta where Wilkins performed the national anthem. She arrived accompanied by two FBI SWAT agents from the local field office, deployed under Patel's instructions. These elite agents are typically reserved for high-risk operations such as hostage situations.

After determining the venue was secure and Wilkins faced no immediate threat, the agents reportedly departed early. Sources claim Patel was irate, reprimanding the team commander for leaving Wilkins unprotected and for what he considered inadequate communication. Patel believed Wilkins, a prominent conservative figure, remained at risk from individuals who had issued online threats against her.

In another incident during late September, SWAT personnel from the Salt Lake City field office were reassigned from their duties following the killing of conservative figure Charlie Kirk in Utah. They were instructed to protect Wilkins at a political gathering due to concerns she might also be targeted.

Ben Williamson, Patel's spokesperson, defended these security measures: "Ms. Wilkins is receiving a protective detail because she has faced hundreds of credible death threats related to her relationship with Director Patel." He disputed claims that Wilkins was safe during the NRA event, characterizing some criticisms as being made in "bad faith."

The FBI released a statement to MS NOW saying, "Out of respect for her safety, we will not be providing additional details."

Previously, Wilkins had shared screenshots of threatening messages she received, including directives to "take a bullet" or harm herself. One threat was dated February 22, 2025, just one day after Patel assumed his position as FBI Director.

Although Patel is required to use government aircraft for secure communications purposes, reports indicate he has also utilized the FBI jet for personal travel, including visits to Wilkins and recreational trips.

In October, during a government shutdown, Patel flew on the government jet to State College, Pennsylvania, where Wilkins sang the national anthem at a Penn State wrestling event. Conservative commentator Kyle Seraphin subsequently accused him of using official aircraft to "hang out with his 'chick.'"

Patel responded to criticisms on social media platform X, calling attacks against Wilkins "disgustingly baseless" and describing her as "a true patriot and the woman I'm proud to call my partner in life."

Additionally, Wilkins has initiated legal action against former Utah Senate candidate Samuel Parker and conservative podcaster Elijah Schaffer for allegedly referring to her as an "Israeli spy."