FBI Director Kash Patel stated Tuesday he is “by no means been intoxicated on the job,” following a report printed in The Atlantic final week that alleged he has had “bouts of extreme consuming” and job efficiency points.
Requested concerning the article throughout an unrelated press convention on Tuesday, Patel railed in opposition to destructive media protection.
“I can say unequivocally that I by no means hearken to the pretend information mafia and as once they get louder, it simply means I am doing my job,” Patel stated.
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks throughout a press convention on the Division of Justice in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2026.
Mandel Ngan/AFP by way of Getty Photos
He added, “I’ve by no means been intoxicated on the job, and that’s the reason we filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit. And any one in every of you that desires to take part, carry it on.”
On Monday, Patel adopted by on a promise to sue The Atlantic over the article, demanding $250 million in damages.
The April 17 Atlantic article alleged consuming has led to a number of unexplained absences by Patel and concern throughout the federal government.
Talking on the identical press convention on Tuesday, appearing Lawyer Todd Blanche stated he hadn’t learn the article but in addition sought to dispute a number of particulars from it, saying it was primarily based on nameless sources and that sure components of the article had been “blatantly false.”
Performing Lawyer Common Todd Blanche speaks throughout a information convention on the Justice Division, on April 21, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
Jacquelyn Martin/AP
Responding to video from February when Patel was seen chugging a beer with members of the U.S. gold medal hockey group following their Olympic victory, Patel stated: “I am like an on a regular basis American who loves his nation, loves the game of hockey, and champions my pals, once they elevate a gold medal and invite me in to have a good time.”
The Atlantic stated it stands by its reporting.
“We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we’ll vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists in opposition to this meritless lawsuit,” the Atlantic stated in a press release.
In a press release to ABC Information earlier this week, Patel stated the story “is a lie.”
“They got the reality earlier than they printed, they usually selected to print falsehoods anyway,” Patel stated within the assertion. “I took this job to guard the American folks and this FBI has delivered essentially the most prolific discount in crime in US historical past. Faux information will not report it, and their toxicity won’t ever erode nor cease our Mission.”
