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

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.