FBI Director Kash Patel sparred with the Senate Appropriations Committee’s high Democrat over the director’s alleged questionable habits when Patel appeared earlier than the panel for a finances listening to on Tuesday.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the rating member of the committee, addressed stories of Patel’s alleged misuse of FBI sources and a narrative in The Atlantic that alleged he has had “bouts of extreme ingesting” and job efficiency points.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies earlier than a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Associated Companies Subcommittee listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, Might 12, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
“What we’re studying about what’s occurring on the FBI is something however regular,” Van Hollen stated. “Director Patel, as you ask for extra taxpayer sources, we can not look away from the credible, extraordinarily troubling stories about your misconduct on the FBI.”
Patel said last month that he is “by no means been intoxicated on the job,” following the report. Patel sued The Atlantic over the article, demanding $250 million in damages.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen questions FBI Director Kash Patel throughout a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Associated Companies listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, Might 12, 2026.
Jim Watson/AFP through Getty Photos
Van Hollen later grilled Patel on the report asking Patel if, per The Atlantic report, he had “episodes of extreme ingesting.”
Patel shot again, calling the report a “complete farce.”
In a heated change, Patel then claimed with out proof that Van Hollen was “slinging margaritas” simply over a 12 months in the past with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant who the federal government stated in courtroom was erroneously deported to El Salvador.
The second is a reference to when Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia, who had been deported towards a decide’s orders to the infamous CECOT jail. On the time, the senator stated at one level through the assembly monitored by the El Salvador authorities, El Salvador officers put glasses on the desk the place they have been assembly that appeared to have liquid inside with salt or sugar rims on high.
Van Hollen insisted that neither he nor Abrego Garcia touched these glasses and stated it was clear they did not primarily based on photographs of the assembly taken by El Salvadoran officers.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies earlier than a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Associated Companies Subcommittee listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, Might 12, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Patel additionally confronted questions on when he joined in on Staff USA hockey’s locker room celebrations in Italy shortly after the workforce received the gold medal in February — a transfer that drew scrutiny about his use of FBI sources to attend.
Patel, a hockey fan, was stated to have had conferences in Italy previous to attending the sport, which he reiterated throughout Tuesday’s listening to, saying he was there to safe the extradition of a high cybercriminal from the China and to assist with Olympic safety.
Ben Williamson, an FBI spokesperson, stated on social media in February that Patel’s journey had been beforehand scheduled. He added that “another private bills could be reimbursed.”
Patel was requested about election probes in Michigan and Arizona in addition to the seizure of 2020 ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this 12 months — an motion the FBI stated was court-authorized exercise. The investigations got here after President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated there was voter fraud within the 2020 election that contributed to his election loss.
The circumstances in Georgia, Arizona and Michigan have been litigated and there was no fraud within the 2020 election.
“As to the execution of authorized search processes, we went to federal and state magistrates and, like we do in any case, and obtained ruling of possible trigger to advance any investigations we’re engaged on,” Patel stated. “As to the general safety of the election, that’s of major significance with us.”
In his opening assertion, Patel lauded the women and men of the FBI, itemizing off a litany of accomplishments together with a fast response by FBI brokers throughout a shooting at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner last month.
Patel is showing alongside different Division of Justice company heads concerning the businesses’ 2027 finances requests. Patel is joined by Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole, United States Marshals Service Director Glady Serralta and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Robert Cekada.
When Patel final testified on Capitol Hill in September 2025, he confronted questions from Democrats in regards to the assassination of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk and his dealing with of the Jeffrey Epstein information.
