FBI director’s secret “VIP snorkel” at Pearl Harbor raises fascinating judgment questions

Nothing says “serious law enforcement leadership” like a secret VIP snorkel at Pearl Harbor

The FBI was reportedly very keen to emphasize that Kash Patel’s Hawaii trip was absolutely, definitely official business. This begs the question of how the FBI forgot to mention the part where he went on a military-coordinated “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona, the sunken battleship that serves as the underwater tomb of more than 900 American servicemembers lost in a surprise attack.

Left out of FBI’s news releases was an exclusive excursion that Patel took days later when he participated in what government officials described as a “VIP snorkel” around the USS Arizona in an outing coordinated by the military. The sunken battleship entombs more than 900 sailors and Marines at Pearl Harbor.

The swim, revealed in government emails obtained by The Associated Press, comes to light amid criticism over Patel’s use of the FBI plane and his global travel that has blended professional responsibilities with leisure activities. The FBI did not disclose the snorkeling session or that Patel had returned to Hawaii for two days after his initial stopover on the island.

PBS.org

Every single time you think a member of the Trump administration can not sink lower orscrew up more heavily, they manage to get there in a spectacular fashion. How many other “VIP snorkles” has the Parks and Services offered to what sort of VIP at this memorial and grave? Who had the idea for this? Who approved it? What was the path the request took in the US government? How does one request a snorkeling adventure at the USS Arizona? Will they let a VIP into the basement at the Alamo?