FBI Director Kash Patel participated in a "VIP snorkel" excursion around the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor during a Hawaii trip in August 2025, according to government emails obtained by the Associated Press. The outing, coordinated by military officials, occurred after Patel returned to Hawaii for an additional two-day stay following official visits to Australia and New Zealand, where he met with foreign law enforcement and intelligence officials.
Core Facts & Immediate Action
The FBI publicly highlighted Patel’s visit to the bureau’s Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement but did not disclose the snorkeling session. Flight-tracking data confirmed the FBI’s Gulfstream G550 aircraft remained in Hawaii for two nights before traveling to Las Vegas. The USS Arizona, a sunken battleship and military cemetery, is generally off-limits to swimmers and divers, with exceptions made for marine archaeologists, maintenance crews, and certain government officials.
Deeper Dive & Context
Official Rationale & Response
FBI spokesman Ben Williamson disputed the AP’s reporting, stating the snorkeling was part of a Department of War engagement with interagency partners. He described it as a "historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona," not a vacation. Williamson noted that similar events were offered during Patel’s tenure as Chief of Staff for the Department of Defense under the Trump administration.
Criticism & Scrutiny
Critics, including Stacey Young of Justice Connection, a network of former federal prosecutors and agents, argued the excursion fit a pattern of Patel blending professional responsibilities with leisure activities. Young stated it was an "unseemly distraction" at a site commemorating a historic attack.
Historical Context
The USS Arizona has been a hallowed site since Japan bombed and sank it in 1941, entombing over 900 sailors and Marines. Dives are typically restricted to marine archaeologists, National Park Service crews, and dignitaries. Since the Obama administration, the Navy and park service have allowed a limited number of government officials to participate in such excursions.
Travel and Transparency Concerns
The FBI’s decision not to disclose the snorkeling session or Patel’s extended stay in Hawaii has raised questions about transparency and the use of official resources. The trip occurred amid broader scrutiny of Patel’s global travel and the FBI’s operational priorities.