WASHINGTON – The FBI has dismissed Charles Palmer,a top official within its critical incident response group,amid scrutiny of FBI Director Kash PatelS personal use of government jets and ongoing controversies surrounding Patel‘s leadership. Palmer’s dismissal marks the third departure of a leader from the group as Patel’s appointment.Wes Wheeler was fired in March, and Brian Driscoll in August; Driscoll is currently suing the Trump administration alleging unfair dismissal due to perceived lack of loyalty to the president.
the dismissal follows reports that Patel used a government jet for a trip to Nashville, prompting criticism he labeled “disingenuous and dumb” and ”bad faith whining,” according to FBI spokesperson Kursten Williamson. Williamson defended the travel, noting Patel is required to reimburse some costs and has undertaken “significantly limited” personal travel compared to his predecessors, Chris Wray and James Comey. he added Patel is “allowed to take personal time from time to time to see family, friends or his longtime girlfriend.”
The controversy is notable given Patel’s past criticism of government jet use by former FBI Director Wray. In 2023,Patel referred to Wray as “#governmentgangster” and accused him of misusing taxpayer funds while overseeing the FBI’s challenges.
News of Patel’s jet travel was first reported by former FBI agent kyle Seraphin, who has been critical of the current FBI leadership through his podcast. Seraphin questioned the timing of the trip, noting it occurred during the 32nd day of a government shutdown.
Separately, Patel is facing criticism from defense lawyer Amir Makled, who disputes the FBI director’s claims that five young men in Michigan were arrested for planning a Halloween terror attack. Makled, representing one of the individuals, believes the FBI’s allegations are “hysteria and fearmongering” and that no terror event was imminent.The five men, aged 16 to 20 and U.S. citizens, are gamers.
