FBI Director Kash Patel mentioned 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 ingesting” and job efficiency points.
Requested in regards to the article throughout an unrelated press convention on Tuesday, Patel railed towards detrimental media protection.
“I can say unequivocally that I by no means take heed to the pretend information mafia and as after they get louder, it simply means I am doing my job,” Patel mentioned.
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 considered one of you that desires to take part, deliver 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 ingesting has led to a number of unexplained absences by Patel and concern throughout the federal government.
Talking on the similar press convention on Tuesday, performing Legal professional Todd Blanche mentioned he hadn’t learn the article but additionally sought to dispute a number of particulars from it, saying it was based mostly on nameless sources and that sure components of the article had been “blatantly false.”
Performing Legal professional 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 staff following their Olympic victory, Patel mentioned: “I am like an on a regular basis American who loves his nation, loves the game of hockey, and champions my buddies, after they elevate a gold medal and invite me in to rejoice.”
The Atlantic mentioned it stands by its reporting.
“We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we are going to vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists towards this meritless lawsuit,” the Atlantic mentioned in a press release.
In a press release to ABC Information earlier this week, Patel mentioned the story “is a lie.”
“They got the reality earlier than they printed, they usually selected to print falsehoods anyway,” Patel mentioned within the assertion. “I took this job to guard the American individuals and this FBI has delivered probably the most prolific discount in crime in US historical past. Pretend information will not report it, and their toxicity won’t ever erode nor cease our Mission.”
