Balanced News from the Left, Center and Right

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny following a trip last year on a private "VIP snorkel" excursion over the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, prompting an FBI spokesman to push back on how the "event" has been portrayed.

The Details: Internal government emails obtained by The Associated Press (Lean Left bias) show that the snorkeling trip took place in August 2025 during Patel's visit to Hawaii. The emails described the activity as a "VIP snorkel" near the sunken USS Arizona, a site considered a sacred resting place for more than 900 service members killed in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial is one of the most significant historical locations connected to the events that led the United States into World War II.

Key Quotes: FBI spokesman Ben Williamson on Thursday criticized the AP's characterization of the trip. "The AP is attempting to spin an invitation from the Commanding General of Indo Pacom [US Indo-Pacific Command] to a military base as a party or vacation, which is so stupid," Williamson said in an X post.

"The DoW routinely does these engagements with interagency partners - to include this one - and when he was Chief of staff for DoD in Trump 1, Patel offered the same event for many partners that came to visit. It's a historical tour to honor heroes who died on the USS Arizona - not a party," he added.

Patel Controversies: The report comes as Patel faces broader scrutiny over his public conduct and travel as FBI director. Earlier this year, videos circulated showing him celebrating with members of the U.S. men's hockey team after their Olympic victory. Patel has also denied allegations of excessive drinking reported by the media and has filed a lawsuit against the outlet.

How the Media Covered It: Coverage largely centered on whether Patel's snorkeling trip was appropriate for a senior government official. The Associated Press (Lean Left bias) framed the story as part of a broader pattern of concerns surrounding Patel's travel, use of government resources and public conduct. The news outlet also emphasized criticism from former Justice Department officials and veterans who viewed the snorkeling trip as inappropriate. In contrast, the New York Post (Lean Right) focused more on the FBI's defense of the trip, portraying it as an official historical and military engagement rather than leisure activity. Both outlets included similar factual details about the USS Arizona visit, but AP placed greater emphasis on scrutiny and ethics concerns.

Written by the AllSides staff (of humans). Learn more. Support our mission.