The Federal Bureau of Investigation has removed a senior official following mounting backlash over Director Kash Patel’s alleged use of an agency jet to attend a public event linked to singer Alexis Wilkins, several US media outlets reported on Saturday.
According to a report by The Guardian, Steven Palmer, a 27-year FBI veteran who headed the bureau’s Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), was dismissed on October 31. The newspaper said Palmer was reportedly given an ultimatum to either resign or face termination after internal tensions grew around Patel’s controversial travel.
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Backlash over personal travel and oversight
Flight-tracking data cited by People Magazine showed that the FBI jet in question flew to State College, Pennsylvania, where Wilkins performed the national anthem at a wrestling event. The overlap between the jet’s movements and Patel’s appearance at the venue triggered speculation that the director had used a taxpayer-funded aircraft for a personal engagement.
The Guardian reported that Palmer’s dismissal marks the third leadership shake-up within CIRG since Patel assumed the FBI’s top post earlier this year, raising concerns over stability inside one of the bureau’s key operational units.
Responding to the criticism, Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he would not be “distracted by baseless rumours or the noise from uninformed internet anarchists and the fake news”.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson told People that Patel is “required to use government aircraft for all official travel due to security protocols.” Williamson added that “any personal travel must be reimbursed in compliance with federal guidelines.”
Questions on transparency and accountability
The decision to fire Palmer has renewed debate about transparency within federal law enforcement. Meanwhile, Patel’s decision has deepened internal scrutiny over the management of FBI aviation units, with sources calling the situation a test of accountability.
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Federal law requires the FBI director to use agency aircraft for travel involving national security or classified materials. However, critics argue that using the plane for personal purposes undermines public confidence and also blurs the line between official duty and private interest.
As the bureau faces increasing questions about ethics and leadership integrity, the firing of a senior official amid controversy highlights a growing storm inside one of America’s most powerful institutions.
