FBI Director Snorkeled at USS Arizona Memorial During Official Hawaii Visit
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FBI Director Kash Patel participated in a 'VIP snorkel' around the sunken USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in August 2025 during an official trip to Hawaii. The excursion, coordinated by the military, was not included in FBI news releases about his visit. The National Park Service, which administers the site with the Navy, stated it was not involved in the swim.
Facts First
- FBI Director Kash Patel snorkeled at the USS Arizona Memorial in August 2025 during an official Hawaii visit.
- The military coordinated the 'VIP snorkel' excursion, according to government emails obtained by The Associated Press.
- The FBI did not disclose the snorkeling session in its news releases about the director's trip.
- The National Park Service stated it was not involved in Patel's swim at the site it administers with the Navy.
- A former government diver stated no former FBI director has snorkeled there since at least 1993, noting such swims are unusual due to risks and logistical challenges.
What Happened
FBI Director Kash Patel participated in a 'VIP snorkel' around the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in August 2025. The sunken battleship entombs more than 900 sailors and Marines. The excursion was coordinated by military officials, according to government emails. The FBI did not disclose the snorkeling in its news releases about Patel's visit to Hawaii, which included a walking tour of the FBI Honolulu field office and meetings with local law enforcement. The National Park Service, which administers the site in coordination with the Navy, stated it was not involved in Patel's swim.
Why this Matters to You
As a taxpayer, you fund official government travel, and the disclosure of activities during such trips is a standard expectation for transparency. The lack of public reporting on this specific activity by the FBI may lead to questions about the use of official time and resources. The swim itself appears to be part of an established, albeit rare, practice for dignitaries, which may offer some historical and professional context.
What's Next
The Navy spokesperson confirmed the outing but could not identify who initiated it. The episode may prompt further scrutiny into the protocols for such visits and the public reporting of official activities by agency heads. Similar swims for dignitaries have been allowed for years, so the practice itself is unlikely to change, but the communication around it could be reviewed.