FBI Director Kash Patel announced on Sunday that he will file a lawsuit against The Atlantic as early as Monday, following the magazine's report alleging he has a drinking problem that has interfered with his ability to lead the bureau. Patel denied the allegations, stating that the FBI's successes under President Trump disprove claims of impaired performance.
The Atlantic published a report on Friday, citing over two dozen current and former officials, alleging Patel frequently appeared intoxicated on the job. The magazine reported that his security detail struggled to wake him on multiple occasions, including one instance where they requested "breaching equipment" to reach him behind locked doors. The report also claimed that meetings were rescheduled due to his drinking.
Patel's lawyer, Jesse Binnall, sent a legal warning to The Atlantic before publication, arguing that several claims were false and defamatory. The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, stood by the reporting, stating, "We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel."
Acting Attorney General Matthew Blanche defended Patel, stating that he had accomplished more in 14 months than the previous administration did in four years. Blanche dismissed the report as an "anonymously sourced hit piece."
Patel, appearing on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures, said he would "absolutely" sue The Atlantic. "You want to attack my character? Come at me, bring it on. I'll see you in court," he said.
The Atlantic's report also noted that senior Trump administration officials are privately discussing potential replacements for Patel, raising questions about his future in the role.