FBI Director Patel Faces Scrutiny Over Pearl Harbor Snorkeling Outing

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing backlash after participating in a 'VIP snorkel' around the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, which entombs over 900 sailors and Marines. The outing, coordinated by the military, took place during his official visit to Hawaii last August.

According to The Guardian, Patel's excursion was first reported this week by the Associated Press, which obtained government emails describing it as a “VIP snorkel.” The FBI has defended the outing as an official engagement and historical tour to honor fallen heroes. A spokesperson for the FBI accused news outlets of attempting to spin the invitation from military officials as a party or vacation.

The Navy confirmed that Patel swam in the vicinity of the tomb for 30 minutes, joined by nine other participants whose identities have not been disclosed. The FBI stated that top regional commanders hosted Patel at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam “as they commonly do with US government officials on official travel.”

Patel's snorkeling session has drawn criticism from various quarters. Marine veteran Hack Albertson blasted Patel's swim as a desecration, comparing it to 'having a bachelor party at a church.' According to PBS, Stacey Young of Justice Connection criticized the outing as an unseemly distraction for the FBI director.

The controversy comes amid ongoing scrutiny over Patel's use of government resources. As reported by HuffPost, Patel has faced criticism for blending professional responsibilities with leisure activities, including a recent incident where he was seen partying in the locker room with members of the U.S. men's hockey team after their gold medal win at the Winter Olympics.

The Navy described Patel's outing as 'not an anomaly,' stating that similar excursions have been allowed for dignitaries since at least the Obama administration. However, a former government diver noted that it is unusual for a director or anyone not connected to the memorial to be granted such access due to physical risks and logistical challenges.

Patel's excursion was part of his two-day visit to Hawaii on his return to the United States from official visits to Australia and New Zealand. The FBI said in a statement that top regional commanders hosted Patel at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam 'as they commonly do with U.S. government officials on official travel.' The Pearl Harbor visit, the spokesman said, 'was part of the Director’s public national security engagements last August with counterparts in New Zealand, Australia, our Honolulu Field Office, and the Department of War.'

It was not clear how Patel’s snorkeling session was arranged. A Navy spokesperson confirmed the outing but said the service was not able to track down who initiated it. Participants were told 'not to touch/come into contact with' the sunken ship in any way, and they were briefed about 'the historic significance of the Memorial as the final resting place/tomb for hundreds of service members.'

Government emails obtained by the Associated Press through a public records request show military officials coordinated logistics and personnel for the 'VIP Snorkel.' The National Park Service, which administers the site in coordination with the Navy, told AP it was not involved in Patel’s swim and declined to comment on the excursion. It also declined to answer questions about any other such outings.

Among those afforded invitations to snorkel have been Navy admirals, and secretaries of defense and interior, according to the former government diver. The diver added that the swims were intended to provide officials with insights into the memorial and its operations.