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Takket

(23,481 posts)
Mon Dec 22, 2025, 12:09 PM Dec 22

What happened to "America First"? Patel buys himself a BMW with your taxpayer dollars.

https://www.ms.now/news/kash-patels-new-ride-of-choice-an-armored-luxury-bmw

Patel is the first director to have use of this specialized foreign-branded vehicle, law enforcement personnel told MS NOW. The government has a contract with General Motors to provide a fleet of Suburbans, a type of large sport utility vehicle, which can be upgraded as needed to include security features such as armor plating, run-flat tires and ballistic glass. Patel’s security detail still occasionally transports him in a Suburban, often during workday hours, the sources said. They said Patel has argued that he needs to move around in a more covert manner, which the BMW would allow.

A person close to Patel, speaking on condition of anonymity to provide details, said that it would have cost the government $480,000 to purchase a new armored Suburban, part of an upgrade Patel was considering, and that was more than twice the cost of the BMW. The person did not explain why a new vehicle was needed.

Asked about the alleged cost savings, a Democratic congressional aide said, “They don’t go out and buy one new vehicle for a fleet refresh; they contract with General Motors for 20 of them at a discount.”

FBI spokesman Williamson disputed this but did not provide specifics.
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What happened to "America First"? Patel buys himself a BMW with your taxpayer dollars. (Original Post) Takket Dec 22 OP
What the director needs is a stretch limo with a Jacuzzi dalton99a Dec 22 #1
I'd prefer the mark to be "Hearse" dickthegrouch Dec 22 #2
I think it's wonderful that he is acquiring this for the next FBI director. Intractable Dec 22 #3
The BMW X5 is manufactured in South Carolina MichMan Dec 22 #4
According to the link, they do already have a contract with BMW to supply these vehicles. MichMan Dec 22 #5

Intractable

(1,646 posts)
3. I think it's wonderful that he is acquiring this for the next FBI director.
Mon Dec 22, 2025, 01:14 PM
Dec 22

Because of bad publicity like this, he will be removed soon by Trump.

MichMan

(16,632 posts)
5. According to the link, they do already have a contract with BMW to supply these vehicles.
Mon Dec 22, 2025, 01:58 PM
Dec 22
Asked about the alleged cost savings, a Democratic congressional aide said, “They don’t go out and buy one new vehicle for a fleet refresh; they contract with General Motors for 20 of them at a discount.”


The government has a contract with BMW for the armored luxury SUVs; specifically, the State Department uses them to protect diplomats and other officials in high-risk environments around the world.
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