Emails reveal a VIP snorkel session at Pearl Harbor, raising questions about government resources
Category: Politics
When Kash Patel visited Hawaii last summer, the FBI emphasized that the director was not on vacation, highlighting his walking tour of the bureau’s Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement. Yet, as revealed in emails obtained by the Associated Press, Patel participated in an exclusive excursion days later, engaging in a "VIP snorkel" around the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. This outing, coordinated by the military, has sparked criticism about Patel’s use of government resources and the blending of professional duties with leisure activities.
The USS Arizona, a sunken battleship that entombs more than 900 sailors and Marines, is considered a military cemetery and a hallowed site since the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Typically, snorkeling and other recreational activities are off-limits around the memorial, which is reachable only by boat. The FBI did not disclose the snorkeling session or Patel’s two-day return to Hawaii after his initial stopover, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Stacey Young, founder of Justice Connection—a network of former federal prosecutors and agents advocating for the Department of Justice’s independence—criticized Patel’s actions. “It fits a pattern of Director Patel getting tangled up in unseemly distractions—this time at a site commemorating the second deadliest attack in U.S. history—instead of staying laser-focused on keeping Americans safe,” Young stated.
The snorkeling session was revealed as part of a broader narrative surrounding Patel’s leadership of the FBI, which has faced scrutiny for his use of government resources. Critics have pointed out that this incident is not isolated; Patel has been involved in several controversies, including his behavior during a Senate hearing and his reported formation of a so-called "payback squad" within the FBI to pursue political targets aligned with the Trump administration.
In February, video surfaced of Patel celebrating in a locker room with members of the U.S. men’s hockey team after their gold medal win at the Winter Olympics in Milan, which he defended as being connected to a cybercrime investigation involving Italian authorities. This pattern of behavior has led to increasing scrutiny from both the public and within the FBI itself, with insiders alleging that Patel has manipulated data to exaggerate federal arrest statistics.
Patel’s excursion in Hawaii took place in August as he returned to the United States from official visits to Australia and New Zealand. His trip to Hawaii was initially presented as an official engagement, with the FBI stating that regional commanders hosted him at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. An FBI spokesperson did not respond to inquiries about the snorkeling session, and it remains unclear how the outing was arranged, with a Navy spokesperson confirming the event but unable to identify who initiated it.
Looking ahead, the implications of Patel's actions are manifold. The FBI has faced increasing pressure to maintain its integrity and independence, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding its leadership. As calls for accountability grow, Patel’s future in the role appears uncertain. Reports indicate that he may be one of the next high-ranking officials to exit the administration, especially as the White House has remained largely silent in his defense.
In the aftermath of the snorkeling outing, some family members of Pearl Harbor survivors expressed indifference toward such official excursions, though they noted a desire for equal treatment in accessing the site. Deidre Kelley, national president of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, remarked, “I have not heard of anyone who would object to these visits as they are very rare.” Meanwhile, others have voiced their concerns about the appropriateness of recreational activities at such a solemn site.
As the FBI continues to grapple with internal and external challenges, the agency’s handling of Patel’s behavior will likely remain under scrutiny. The upcoming months may reveal whether the FBI can restore public confidence and address the growing concerns about the intersection of government resources and personal leisure.
With the FBI’s reputation at stake, Patel’s future actions and the agency's response to this incident will be closely monitored as the national conversation about accountability in government service continues.