FBI Director Kash Patel expressed his frustration after a SWAT team he assigned to protect his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, left prematurely during her performance of the national anthem. The incident occurred at the National Rifle Association (NRA) convention held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in late April.
Patel, who has been dating Wilkins for three years, arranged for the SWAT team to provide security due to the numerous credible threats she received. According to The New York Times, the decision to assign security was made in April after Wilkins faced hundreds of death threats connected to her relationship with Patel.
During her performance at the convention, the agents departed before the event concluded, reportedly after ensuring the venue’s safety. When Patel learned that the SWAT team had left early, he was reportedly infuriated. The Daily Mail highlighted that he confronted the agents for their decision to abandon their post during such a significant moment for Wilkins.
The FBI confirmed Wilkins’ need for a protective detail, stating, “Ms. Wilkins is receiving a protective detail because she has faced hundreds of credible death threats related to her relationship with Director Patel.” The agency also emphasized that further details would not be disclosed to respect her safety.
Criticism arose regarding the provision of a security detail for Wilkins, as it is not typical for partners of agency heads to receive such protection. Former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin, now a conservative podcaster, has been vocal in alleging that Patel misused government resources to be with Wilkins during her public appearances, including during a government shutdown.
In response to the backlash against Wilkins, Patel took to social media platform X to defend her. He described the attacks as “disgustingly baseless” and praised Wilkins as “a true patriot” and “a country music sensation.” He expressed gratitude for her presence in his life, stating, “I’m so blessed she’s in my life.”
The incident has ignited conversations about the security measures taken for public figures and their partners, reflecting broader concerns regarding safety in the current climate. As the situation develops, further scrutiny is likely to be placed on the protocols surrounding protective details within federal agencies.
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