FBI Director Kash Patel denied allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences during a Senate budget hearing on Tuesday as he clashed with Sen. Chris Van Hollen over a report by The Atlantic. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Patel called the allegations false and described them as “baseless allegations” and “unequivocally, categorically false.” He also told Van Hollen, “I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations,” and added, “It’s a total farce. I don’t even know where you get this stuff.” [1, 2]
The exchange grew sharper as Patel said he would take a drinking-related test if Van Hollen took it alongside him. In another jab, Patel accused Van Hollen of drinking “on the taxpayer dime” or using public money for “a bar tab,” with a $7,000 figure cited in the exchange. [1, 2, 4]
Van Hollen said the reports, if true, would amount to “a gross dereliction of duty and a betrayal of public trust.” Patel has sued The Atlantic over the story, which the magazine said it stands by. Patel also told the senator, “Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court – bring your checkbook.” [1, 2, 4]
The Atlantic said in its reporting that it interviewed more than two dozen people. The dispute came during a hearing tied to the FBI's 2027 budget request. [1, 4]
On Wednesday, Al Jazeera English published a video report on the exchange as Patel continued to push back against the allegations. [3]
