Steven Palmer, a 27-year veteran of the FBI, was reportedly dismissed from his role as head of the bureau’s Critical Incident Response Group after Director Kash Patel became enraged over media coverage of his personal use of a government jet. The firing has sparked widespread concern over retaliatory leadership and misuse of authority.
Leadership Shakeup Amid Personal Travel Scandal
In late October 2025, Steven Palmer, who joined the FBI in 1998, was fired as deputy assistant director of the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG)—a division responsible for managing major security threats and overseeing the agency’s aviation assets. His dismissal followed a wave of media reports revealing that FBI Director Kash Patel used a $60 million government jet to attend a wrestling event at Penn State University, where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed the national anthem The New Republic International Business Times UK.
Public Flight Logs and Internal Fallout
The controversy erupted after flight tracking websites showed an FBI jet traveling from Washington, D.C. to State College, Pennsylvania, coinciding with Patel’s appearance at the event. Social media posts and photos confirmed his presence, prompting scrutiny from former agents and watchdogs. Patel reportedly became furious over the coverage and demanded accountability from internal aviation supervisors Bloomberg Law News Yahoo News Canada.
Palmer’s removal marks the third leadership ousting within CIRG since Patel assumed office in February 2025, raising concerns about instability and retaliatory governance. Sources told Bloomberg Law that Palmer was given an ultimatum to resign or be fired, despite no evidence of wrongdoing on his part Bloomberg Law News.
Allegations of Scapegoating and Abuse of Power
Critics have described the firing as scapegoating, noting that Patel’s flight logs were publicly accessible and legally trackable. Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin and others have questioned the ethics of using taxpayer-funded resources for personal travel, especially during a period of heightened scrutiny over federal spending The New Republic International Business Times UK.
The incident has reignited debates over executive accountability, transparency in law enforcement, and the politicization of federal agencies under the current administration.
FBI Director Kash Patel Picture from heute.at
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