Patel dismissed reports of excessive drinking and absences as "baseless" during a contentious Senate hearing Tuesday, while Democrats raised concerns over Atlantic allegations.
11:15 PM
FBI Director Kash Patel denied under oath allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, characterizing the reports as "baseless" and a "total farce."
The hearing before the Senate Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies focused on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the FBI and related agencies. Democrats challenged Patel over reports first published in the Atlantic in mid-April, which detailed allegations of drinking on the job and unaccounted-for absences.
Chris Van Hollen, the ranking Democratic member from Maryland, raised concerns about what he described as "extremely alarming" reports, arguing that such conduct would constitute a "gross dereliction" of duty if substantiated. Van Hollen pressed Patel on the allegations during the hearing.
Patel responded by attempting to redirect the line of questioning, talking over Van Hollen and instead raising concerns about the senator's meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man whom the U.S. government wrongfully deported last year. Patel accused Van Hollen of "slinging margaritas" and running up a $7,000 bar tab "on taxpayer dime."
When Van Hollen was able to continue, he told Patel directly: "The fact that you mentioned that indicates that you don't know what you are talking about." Van Hollen appeared visibly frustrated during the exchange.
Patel has taken legal action in response to the Atlantic reporting. He filed a defamation lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the magazine and the author of the story, seeking $250 million in damages.
The FBI director maintained his denials throughout the hearing, dismissing the allegations as unfounded.
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