Kash Patel is pushing back forcefully against allegations published in The Atlantic, saying he has “never been intoxicated on the job” and filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the outlet.
The response comes days after a report alleged Patel had “bouts of excessive drinking” that impacted his job performance, including claims of unexplained absences and internal concern among officials.
“Never Been Intoxicated on the Job”
Speaking during a press conference at the Justice Department, Patel dismissed the report and criticized media coverage.
“I can say unequivocally that I never listen to the fake news mafia—and when they get louder, it just means I’m doing my job,” he said.
He directly addressed the allegations, adding, “I’ve never been intoxicated on the job, and that is why we filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit.”
Patel also challenged critics publicly: “Anyone who wants to participate—bring it on.”
Lawsuit and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks significant damages over the April 17 article, which cited anonymous sources and raised concerns about Patel’s conduct while serving as FBI director.
The report alleged that his drinking habits contributed to professional issues, claims Patel has repeatedly denied, calling the story “a lie.”
“They were given the truth before they published, and they chose to print falsehoods anyway,” Patel said in an earlier statement, defending his leadership and record.
Justice Department Response
At the same press conference, Todd Blanche said he had not reviewed the article in full but disputed aspects of it, noting it relied on anonymous sourcing.
“There are parts of the story that are blatantly false,” Blanche said.
Olympic Celebration Video Addressed
Patel also responded to renewed attention on a February video showing him celebrating with members of the U.S. Olympic gold medal hockey team, where he was seen chugging a beer.
“I’m like an everyday American who loves his country, loves the sport of hockey, and celebrates with friends when they win a gold medal,” he said.
The Atlantic Stands by Its Reporting
In response to the lawsuit, The Atlantic said it stands firmly behind its reporting.
“We will vigorously defend our journalists against this meritless lawsuit,” the publication said in a statement.
Ongoing Dispute
The legal battle sets up a high-profile clash between a top federal law enforcement official and a major national publication. As the case moves forward, it is likely to draw continued scrutiny over media accountability, anonymous sourcing, and the conduct of public officials.
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