WASHINGTON, D.C.—Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) today filed a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records related to FBI Director Kash Patel’s February 2026 trip to Italy, including his attendance at the Winter Olympics.

Public reporting indicates that Director Patel traveled to Italy on government aircraft at an estimated cost of $75,000 to taxpayers, attended Olympic events including the men’s hockey final, and appeared in the U.S. team’s locker room. The trip took place amid major national security developments, including a deadly security incident at Mar-a-Lago, escalating cartel violence near the U.S.-Mexico border, and rising tensions with Iran.

“Director Patel has criticized others for taxpayer-funded travel, yet his own itinerary raises serious questions about whether official meetings were used to justify what looks like a personal vacation,” said Virginia Canter, Chief Counsel and Director of Ethics and Anti-Corruption at DDF. “If public reporting is accurate, a large share of this trip was spent at hockey games, locker room celebrations, and private dinners, with only brief official engagements. The public deserves the records showing who authorized the travel, what reimbursements were required, whether any gifts or special access were accepted, and whether the Director complied with federal travel and ethics rules.”

The request seeks travel authorizations, reimbursement records, gift determinations, briefing materials, itineraries, and communications concerning Patel’s trip. It also seeks records related to the use of government aircraft, any payments by non-federal sources, and any ethics guidance provided to Patel or his staff.

The filing follows increased scrutiny of Director Patel’s travel. Senator Dick Durbin recently requested that the Government Accountability Office and the DOJ Inspector General review whether Patel’s use of government aircraft violated appropriations laws. Prior congressional inquiries have raised similar concerns about his use of federal aircraft for personal travel.

Given the widespread public interest and ongoing congressional review, DDF has requested expedited processing.

The full request is available here.

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.