FBI investigated NYT reporter over story on security detail for Kash Patel's girlfriend

The FBI investigated a New York Times reporter after she published an article exposing the agency's use of resources to protect FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, a country music singer. According to the New York Times, as reported by The Independent, agents interviewed Wilkins, searched databases for information on reporter Elizabeth Williamson, and even recommended further steps to probe whether her February 28 article violated any rules.

The original story by Williamson detailed how FBI tactical agents, typically reserved for high-risk operations like dangerous takedowns or dignitary protection, had been assigned to escort Wilkins on personal outings. This included ferrying her to a resort in Britain ahead of a dinner at Windsor Castle, a hair salon appointment in Nashville, and guarding outside a senior center in Ronald Reagan's boyhood hometown last April. The FBI justified the detail by citing hundreds of credible death threats against Wilkins—some graphically threatening rape, murder, or slitting her throat—stemming from her three-year relationship with Patel, with an agency spokesperson confirming the protection as standard under those circumstances.

Critics, including former FBI agents, have condemned the arrangement as an overreach, pointing out that partners of bureau directors do not typically receive such elite security, especially when living in different cities. Reports describe a full-time SWAT team of four agents and two SUVs dedicated to Wilkins, raising questions about the misuse of federal resources for personal benefit amid a separate controversy over Patel's use of a $60 million jet. The New York Times reporting, broken by journalist Michael Schmidt, portrays the subsequent investigation into Williamson as potential retribution for scrutinizing Patel's leadership.

This episode has intensified scrutiny on Patel, who recently launched a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over another critical story about his conduct. As FBI director, Patel's decisions on resource allocation affect not just the agency's operations but public trust in its independence, particularly when blending personal and professional spheres. Lawmakers and watchdogs are watching closely for any formal response from the Justice Department, while the implications for press freedom remain a flashpoint—underscoring tensions between government accountability and official retaliation.

The affected parties extend beyond Patel and Wilkins to journalists like Williamson, whose work now faces federal inquiry, and taxpayers funding what some call lavish perks. What happens next could hinge on internal FBI reviews or congressional oversight, especially if the investigation into the reporter yields formal charges or is dropped amid backlash. For now, the story highlights broader debates over how top officials handle security for their families in an era of heightened threats and political polarization.