美國政壇近日爆出一樁涉及聯邦調查局（FBI）局長的爭議事件，引發輿論強烈關注與批評。根據英國《獨立報》及美國媒體報導，現任FBI局長卡什·帕特爾（Kash Patel）被指濫用公務資源，動用價值約6000萬美元的政府專機，只為前往觀看自己小19歲的女友表演，卻僅按「經濟艙票價」支付費用，事後更涉嫌打壓揭發此事的內部人士。

報導指出，根據保守派媒體《堡壘》（The Bulwark）取得的飛行記錄顯示，2025年10月25日，一架隸屬於美國司法部的公務噴射機從弗吉尼亞州馬納薩斯（Manassas）起飛，約40分鐘後降落在賓夕法尼亞州的一處地方機場。當天稍晚，該架飛機又飛往田納西州納什維爾。巧合的是，帕特爾同日被民眾目擊出現在賓夕法尼亞州立大學舉辦的「真正的美國自由式摔跤」活動現場，陪同在他身邊的正是他的女友、26歲的鄉村音樂歌手亞歷克西斯·威爾金斯（Alexis Wilkins）。

威爾金斯當晚還在社交媒體上發布兩人的合照，隨即引來網友質疑帕特爾是如何趕赴現場的。隨著航班資料曝光，輿論掀起波瀾。許多美國民眾與議員痛批他以公務之名行私人之實，濫用納稅人資源，甚至有人諷刺他「比前任更會坐公務機約會」。

儘管依照規定，FBI局長出於安全與通訊保密理由，確實必須乘坐政府專機執行公務行程，但近月以來，部分國會議員已多次對帕特爾提出質疑，認為他頻繁以「工作需求」為由，實際卻用於探訪女友或觀賞體育比賽等私人活動。更具爭議的是，有爆料者指出，當內部人員試圖向媒體揭露此事時，帕特爾疑似動用職權，迫使該名舉報者辭職，進一步引發「濫權掩醜」的指控。

諷刺的是，帕特爾早在2023年曾公開批評前任FBI局長克里斯托弗·雷（Christopher Wray）濫用公務機，指責對方「拿納稅人的錢租私人飛機滿天飛」，並高調表示這種行為「必須終止」。如今相同指控落到自己頭上，令外界批評他「言行不一、虛偽至極」。

事件目前仍在持續發酵，美國國會內部有議員呼籲啟動監察程序，要求司法部與FBI公開帕特爾近一年的專機使用記錄，以釐清他是否違反公務倫理及相關規定。這起風波不僅動搖FBI的公信力，也再度引爆美國民眾對高層官員特權與問責制度的質疑。

A major controversy has erupted in the United States involving FBI Director Kash Patel, who has been accused of misusing a $60 million government jet to attend his much younger girlfriend’s wrestling performance — and allegedly retaliating against the whistleblower who exposed him. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debates about ethics and privilege within U.S. federal institutions.

According to reports from The Independent and the conservative outlet The Bulwark, flight records show that on October 25, 2025, a private jet registered to the U.S. Department of Justice departed from Manassas, Virginia, landed about 40 minutes later in Pennsylvania, and later flew on to Nashville, Tennessee. That same day, the 45-year-old FBI Director was seen at a “Real American Freestyle Wrestling” event at Pennsylvania State University, accompanied by his 26-year-old girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins.

Wilkins posted photos of the pair at the event on social media, prompting online users to question how Patel had arrived at the venue. After flight records surfaced, it became evident that he had used a government aircraft — a revelation that triggered fierce criticism. Many Americans accused Patel of using taxpayer resources for personal leisure, with some mocking him as being “even more indulgent than his predecessors.”

Under FBI policy, the bureau’s director is required to use government aircraft for official travel to ensure secure communication and safety. However, members of Congress have recently raised concerns that Patel has been abusing this privilege, using the government jet for personal trips, including to visit his girlfriend and attend sports events.

The scandal deepened when insiders alleged that Patel forced a whistleblower to resign after the individual leaked details of the trips to the media — a move described by critics as an abuse of power to cover up misconduct.

The controversy is particularly ironic given that Patel himself criticized former FBI Director Christopher Wray in 2023 for “wasting taxpayer money flying private jets everywhere,” and claimed such practices “must stop.” Now facing the same accusations, Patel has been branded by the public and media as hypocritical and self-serving.

In response to growing outrage, several U.S. lawmakers are calling for a formal investigation into Patel’s travel history and government jet usage over the past year. The scandal has not only damaged the FBI’s credibility but also reignited a national conversation about accountability, transparency, and privilege among America’s top officials.