FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly the next high-level official at risk of being fired by President Trump. Despite the White House publicly maintaining confidence in him, several controversies have threatened his 14-month tenure.
Reports have been circulating regarding Patel’s drinking habits; While he admits to two previous alcohol-related arrests, he denies allegations that he drank to the point of intoxication while at work.
Last week, members of Patel’s security squad reportedly had to struggle 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.
In March, hackers broke into Patel’s personal email, releasing photographs and his resume, which the Justice Department later determined were authentic.
Additionally, a group of FBI agents have sued Patel and the DOJ after being fired for a previous investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The investigation follows the recent dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Patel considered his mentor.
Trump was reportedly frustrated with Bondi over the lack of progress in prosecuting political opponents and handling the Jeffrey Epstein files.
As a result, members of the House Judiciary Committee are demanding that Patel undergo a formal investigation for “harmful patterns of alcohol consumption.”
In this regard, press secretary Carolyn Levitt said on Friday that President Trump “still has confidence” in Patel, although insiders suggest his departure is only a matter of time.
Patel also filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic following reports that he was “known to drink to the point of apparent intoxication.”
Previous reports suggest the retired FBI agent claimed last year that he was “out of his mind” and did not have a basic understanding of complex intelligence programs.
In response, spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt rejected these claims, citing declining crime rates and calling Patel a “key player” in the administration’s law-and-order agenda. However, other officers believe Patel’s behavior poses a threat to public safety and are curious what will happen next.
