Kash Patel’s VIP snorkeling trip to US underwater war tomb of 900 soldiers sparks outrage
&imwidth=600&imheight=450&format=webp&quality=medium "Kash Patel’s VIP snorkeling trip to US underwater war tomb of 900 soldiers sparks outrage")
Kash Patel snorkelled around the USS Arizona memorial which was coordinated by the military. Photograph: (AFP)
Kash Patel snorkelled to the wreckage of the USS Arizona, where 900 soldiers lie entombed. He is accused of using taxpayer money to take a luxury trip to Hawaii and then diving to the region where lie the remains of the ship and is off limits.
FBI director Kash Patel has come under fire after another scandal surfaced, which shows that he took a "VIP snorkel" trip at Pearl Harbour. FBI releases show that he took the excursion while on an official visit to Hawaii. According to Associated Press, emails reveal that Patel snorkelled around the USS Arizona, and the outing was coordinated by the military. During this trip to Hawaii, he also visited the local FBI office and law enforcement. His use of a government-funded private jet for a luxury excursion is now under the scanner. He is also being called out for undertaking an excursion to the USS Arizona, which entombs the remains of 900 soldiers who died during World War II. Japan attacked Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, and the battleship was taken a brutal hit and sank with 1,177 soldiers on board. The United States built a memorial over it, and the area remains strictly off-limits for snorkelling and diving activities.
Marine archaeologists and crews from the National Park Service occasionally dive to assess the condition of the wreckage. The ship is still leaking oil from its fuel tank 84 years later, and the ship's steel hull is corroding and is also at risk of collapsing. Besides, the remains of those who survived the attack have also been placed in the wreckage to let them rest with their former mates who didn't make it. Some military and government officials responsible for the management of the memorial also visit the site.
Pearl Harbor is a historic site, and several former FBI directors have paid a visit over the years. A former government diver who spoke to AP said that none of them, at least since 1993, has gone snorkelling at the memorial. He added it was unusual for someone who was not connected to the memorial and the wreckage in any way to go swimming to the site. Besides, it involved physical risks, and there are security, safety and logistical challenges.
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Kash Patel has been facing scrutiny for similar actions in the last year. In February, he was seen celebrating in the locker room with members of the US men's hockey team after their gold medal win at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Viral videos showed Patel drinking beer and spraying it over the players, along with footage of a player draping a gold medal around his neck. He even dialled President Trump from there, who spoke to the players. Critics and Democratic lawmakers questioned the use of a government Gulfstream G550 jet for the trip. The FBI stated that Patel was in Italy for professional meetings with European security officials and the Milan Joint Operations Center.
