House Democrats Seek Records on Kash Patel’s Use of FBI Gulfstream for Reported Personal Travel

House Judiciary Committee Democrats have asked for records after reports that Kash Patel used an FBI Gulfstream jet for apparent personal travel, including a trip to see his girlfriend perform and a multi-day stay at a Texas ranch. Lawmakers requested travel logs, passenger lists and related communications, setting a Dec. 15 deadline. As minority members, they lack subpoena power and can only request—not compel—documents. Executive rules require officials traveling on government aircraft to reimburse personal costs at coach rates.

04:57 AM, 12/02/2025Politics

House Democrats Seek Records on Kash Patel’s Use of FBI Gulfstream for Reported Personal Travel

Top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have launched an inquiry into reports that Kash Patel used an FBI Gulfstream passenger jet for personal trips, including attending a performance by his girlfriend and a multi-day stay at a Texas ranch.

The panel's Democrats say public flight logs and social media posts appear to show Patel on several recent flights made with the FBI aircraft. Committee members have asked Patel to produce travel logs, passenger lists and any communications with passengers related to those trips.

In a letter to FBI leadership, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the Judiciary Committee's ranking member, and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) questioned an Oct. 25 flight to Pennsylvania.

"You flew there because your girlfriend was performing at a wrestling match on the campus of Pennsylvania State University. After attending her performance, you used the government's jet to fly with her home to Nashville the following day. Your 'date night' had no apparent connections to your official duties."

The lawmakers also raised concerns about a separate trip to San Angelo, Texas, where they say Patel spent several days at a private ranch hosted by GOP donor Bubba Saulsbury.

"Later that weekend, you took the FBI jet to San Angelo, Texas, for four days, where Republican Party mega-donor Bubba Saulsbury hosted you at Boondoggle Ranch—'a scenic hunting resort' that touts itself as the ideal place to 'waste money or time on unnecessary or questionable projects.'"

The letter requests that the FBI produce Patel's travel records by Dec. 15. As minority members of the committee, Raskin and Kamlager-Dove do not hold subpoena power and can only request—not compel—the release of documents.

The inquiry follows earlier reporting that raised similar questions about the use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. According to executive-branch policy, FBI directors and other senior leaders generally travel on government aircraft for both official and personal trips to ensure secure communications and rapid mobility; personal travel costs must be reimbursed to the government at coach-fare rates, and family or friends may accompany officials only if their travel costs are reimbursed.

The FBI did not immediately provide a comment on the committee's request.

What to watch next: The committee's Dec. 15 deadline will show whether the FBI voluntarily provides the requested records. If documents are not produced, Democrats may pursue additional oversight options within the limits of their authority.