Kash Patel participated in a “VIP snorkel” excursion around the USS Arizona memorial during an official trip to Hawaii last year, according to government emails obtained by The Associated Press.
The outing, which was not publicly disclosed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at the time, took place during Patel’s August visit to Hawaii following official meetings in Australia and New Zealand.
The USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor marks the resting place of more than 900 sailors and Marines killed during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Government emails obtained through public records requests showed military officials coordinated logistics and personnel for what documents described as a “VIP Snorkel” near the sunken battleship.
The FBI publicly highlighted Patel’s meetings with local law enforcement and his visit to the Honolulu field office but did not mention the snorkeling excursion in official statements or press releases.
The FBI later confirmed Patel visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during broader national security meetings involving officials from New Zealand, Australia and the Department of War.
An FBI spokesperson said military commanders commonly host senior U.S. government officials during official travel involving national security or military cooperation discussions.
The Navy confirmed Patel participated in the snorkeling excursion but said officials could not determine who initially arranged or requested the visit to the memorial site.
Participants in the outing were reportedly instructed not to touch the wreckage and were briefed on the historic significance of the site as a military cemetery and memorial, as the Associated Press reported.
Snorkeling and diving near the USS Arizona are generally restricted, with access typically limited to military personnel, marine archaeologists and certain official preservation activities.
According to the report, former FBI directors dating back to at least 1993 had not participated in similar snorkeling excursions while visiting Pearl Harbor on official business.
The disclosure comes amid broader scrutiny surrounding Patel’s travel, use of government aircraft and activities during official overseas trips as FBI director.
Patel previously faced criticism after video showed him celebrating with members of the US men’s hockey team during the Winter Olympics in Milan earlier this year.
The AP report also noted Patel returned to Hawaii for an additional two-day stay after his initial stop connected to official meetings in Australia and New Zealand.
Flight tracking data showed the Gulfstream jet typically used by the FBI director remained in Hawaii during the extended stop before later traveling to Las Vegas.
Some veterans and family members of Pearl Harbor survivors criticized the snorkeling excursion, arguing the memorial should be treated with greater solemnity because it serves as a gravesite for service members.
Marine veteran Hack Albertson described the outing as inappropriate, saying, “It’s like having a bachelor party at a church. It’s hallowed ground.”
