FBI Director Kash Patel is facing renewed scrutiny after reports surfaced that he erupted at federal agents who declined to continue guarding his girlfriend during the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Atlanta earlier this year. The episode is the latest in a series of allegations involving Patel’s use of government resources for the benefit of his partner, 27-year-old country singer Alexis Wilkins.
According to The New York Times, an entire SWAT team from the FBI’s Atlanta field office had been assigned to provide security for Wilkins as she attended and performed at the NRA conference in April. Multiple current and former FBI officials told the outlet that the deployment of elite tactical agents for such a purpose was highly unusual and exceeded typical protective protocols for non-family members of senior officials.
Christopher O’Leary, a former Marine and FBI agent who led a high-risk operations team, called the assignment “indicative of [Patel’s] lack of leadership experience, judgment and humility.”
Wilkins, who averages approximately 6,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, performed the national anthem at the event. According to the report, members of the SWAT detail left their designated positions after determining she was secure—prompting an angry confrontation from Patel. He reportedly “ripped” into the commander overseeing the agents, telling him the decision represented a “failure” in the chain of command.
This is not the first controversy involving Patel’s handling of FBI resources and his girlfriend’s personal security. Earlier this month, the outlet MS Now reported that Patel reassigned officers from the Nashville SWAT team—Wilkins’ home region—to provide protective services for her. Officials told the outlet they were not aware of any precedent for assigning a senior official’s romantic partner her own protective detail, and warned that the reallocation could hinder the Nashville field office’s ability to respond to emergencies such as mass shootings or terror threats.
The concerns extend beyond Tennessee. According to The Times, tactical agents from the Salt Lake City field office were ordered to protect Wilkins at an event in September, even though the team had just finished extended shifts responding to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.
“There is no legitimate justification for this,” O’Leary told MS Now. “This is a clear abuse of position and misuse of government resources. She is not his spouse, does not live in the same house or even in the same city.”
Wilkins has defended the heightened security surrounding her, posting examples of violent threats she has received online. In a Nov. 17 series of social media posts, she shared screenshots of direct messages referencing her death and suggesting she should be “kidnapped” or “touch a bullet.” She said the threats were directed at both her and Patel.
The FBI has maintained that the protective detail is justified based on the volume and credibility of those threats. “Ms. Wilkins is receiving a protective detail because she has faced hundreds of credible death threats related to her relationship with Director Patel,” a bureau spokesperson said. “Out of respect for her safety, we will not be providing additional details.”
Nevertheless, criticism has mounted from lawmakers. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) wrote in an X post that while protecting Wilkins from targeted threats is appropriate, Patel himself has denied similar protection to Democratic members of Congress. “It’s just F’d up that he REFUSES to protect me and my kids from MULTIPLE specific death threats,” Swalwell said. “Can only conclude he wants us dead.”
Patel’s leadership has drawn increased attention since he assumed the directorship in February 2025 after a narrow 51–49 Senate confirmation. His tenure has been marked by several controversies, including reports that he used a $60 million government jet to travel to a performance by Wilkins. The Wall Street Journal also reported that Patel recently visited a luxury hunting resort in Texas during the record-breaking federal government shutdown, further fueling criticism of his spending habits and priorities.
The allegations are especially notable given Patel’s long-standing criticism of former FBI Director Christopher Wray, whom he accused of improper use of government aircraft for personal reasons.
Wilkins and Patel have been dating for more than two years. The FBI and Wilkins did not respond to new requests for comment.
As investigations into Patel’s conduct continue, the controversy over his use of elite security resources highlights broader questions about accountability, public trust, and the boundaries of power at one of the nation’s most influential law enforcement agencies.