FBI Director Kash Patel, center, speaks at a gathering of law enforcement officials Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2025, in Lafayette, accompanied by Gov. Jeff Landry, right and U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins. (Photo courtesy Congressman Clay Higgins' Facebook page)
President Donald Trump’s controversial FBI director, Kash Patel, was a guest this week at Gov. Jeff Landry’s annual alligator hunt in the Atchafalaya Basin. The annual event, now in its 16th year, is Landry’s signature campaign fundraiser and often draws high-profile conservative figures. Donald Trump Jr. and his son have attended in previous years, as has Kristi Noem, Trump’s former Homeland Security director, according to social media posts. Patel appears to have attended the fundraiser’s law enforcement night Wednesday based on a photo Attorney General Liz Murrill shared online the next day. It shows her, Landry and Patel together, with Patel wearing a “57 Landry” shirt and a LSU-themed hat with the alligator hunt logo. Landry is the state’s 57th governor.
Great to have @FBIDirectorKash join us this year at Gov. @JeffLandry gator hunt on the Atchafalaya Basin. Showed him how we get things done down here in South Louisiana!
Patel also posted photos Wednesday of a meeting he held in Lafayette with Landry, Congressman Clay Higgins, U.S. Attorney Zach Keller of Louisiana’s Western District and dozens of law enforcement officers. “In the field with some of our great Louisiana law enforcement partners — talking about some of the huge strides we’ve made together these last 18 months,” Patel said in his post.
In the field with some of our great Louisiana law enforcement partners – talking some of the huge strides we’ve made together these last 18 months making America safe again, covering issues like fraud takedowns, crushing violent crime, improved technology through use of AI,… pic.twitter.com/4SFdXXqEOv
Patel’s travel has been under a significant amount of scrutiny. FBI directors are required to use government planes, even for personal travel because it allows them to maintain secure communications wherever they go, according to several news reports. FBI directors are expected to reimburse the government for themselves and family members who use government planes for personal travel. Patel often blends official travel with leisure activities, which has led congressional Democrats to question whether he is properly accounting for his personal use of government resources, according to the Associated Press. For example, the AP reported that Patel went snorkeling around the submerged USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, which is very rarely allowed, a few days after visiting the FBI field office in Honolulu.
