FBI Director Kash Patel Fires Steven Palmer Over Jet Travel Controversy

Washington, D.C. — FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly dismissed a senior official after a controversy arose regarding his personal travel on a government jet. Steven Palmer, who worked for the FBI for 27 years, was told to resign or face termination after Patel became angered by media reports about his trip to watch his girlfriend perform.

Palmer was the head of the FBI’s critical incident response group, responsible for handling major security threats and overseeing the agency’s fleet of jets. His firing marks the third leadership change in the unit since Patel took office as FBI director in February 2025.

According to Bloomberg Law, three sources expressed surprise at Palmer’s dismissal, noting that Patel’s travel logs were public and could be tracked on multiple websites. The controversy began after reports highlighted Patel’s use of an FBI jet to travel to Pennsylvania to watch country singer Alexis Wilkins sing the national anthem at a wrestling match on October 25.

Patel did not comment directly on the firing, but his spokesperson defended the director’s actions, stating that Patel’s personal travel was within government guidelines and required reimbursement. Ben Williamson, the spokesperson, described criticism of Patel’s use of the jet as “disingenuous” and pointed out that Patel significantly limited personal travel compared to his predecessors.

The timing of the controversy was particularly sensitive, as it occurred during a government shutdown, with federal workers facing unpaid furloughs. Kyle Seraphin, a former FBI agent, criticized Patel’s personal use of a government jet during these difficult times, highlighting the disparity between his privileges and the struggles of government employees.

Flight records confirmed that Patel’s jet landed near Penn State the evening of Wilkins’ performance, before proceeding to Nashville afterward. However, as of Sunday, these flight logs were no longer publicly accessible due to a request for privacy from the jet’s owner.

In response to the backlash, Patel’s administration emphasized that the director pays for his personal trips and follows all required protocols. The FBI continues to stand behind Patel amid ongoing scrutiny of his travel practices.