FBI Director Kash Patel is hitting back against an explosive new report that alleges his alcohol-fueled lifestyle has compromised national security and left the agency in a state of dysfunction.
The report published by The Atlantic on Friday painted a picture of a leader who could not be contacted during the crisis, prompting an outraged response from Patel, who has threatened to sue the publication for “hit piece lies”.
Patel told The Atlantic: “Print it, it’s all lies, I’ll see you in court – bring your checkbook.”
On Saturday, Patel published an ex post on his official FBI account, calling it “fake news” rather than “the hit lie you wrote about me.”
“Keep talking,” Patel wrote. “That means I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. And no amount of BS you write will stop this FBI from making America safe again and eliminating your favorite criminals.”
However, members of Patel’s security squad reportedly struggled to wake him up on several occasions. Six sources claimed that high-level briefings and meetings were repeatedly rescheduled because Patel had become incapacitated after nights of drinking.
Officials expressed fears that Patel’s behavior posed a “threat to public safety”, leaving the agency vulnerable in the event of a domestic terrorist attack. The allegations of drinking have added to the growing list of complaints against the director.
Patel had previously been criticized for using the government jet for personal trips, including watching his girlfriend perform in a wrestling match and attending a hockey game in Milan.
A report last year by retired FBI agents claimed he was “out of his mind” and did not have a basic understanding of complex intelligence programs. In response, spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt dismissed the report, citing declining crime rates and calling Patel a “key player” in the administration’s law-and-order agenda.
Authorities believe Patel’s behavior poses a threat to public safety and are curious what will happen next.
