FBI Director Kash Patel Sues The Atlantic Over ‘drinking’ Claims

2 min readApr 20, 2026 10:55 PM IST

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a defamation suit against The Atlantic over an article claiming national security could be at risk due to the director’s alleged drinking problem.

Patel has named both the magazine and journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, who reported the story, in the lawsuit.

The article, titled “Kash Patel’s Erratic Behaviour Could Cost Him His Job,” cited more than two dozen anonymous sources expressing concern. In its online version, The Atlantic carried the headline “The FBI Director Is MIA.”

The article reported that several early morning FBI meetings were rescheduled due to Patel’s alleged “alcohol-fuelled nights.” It also claimed that he was often unavailable or unreachable, leading to delays in clearance decisions requiring advance investigation.

Watch The Video Everyone Is Talking About ➤

The case has been filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, with Patel seeking $250 million in damages.

According to Reuters, the lawsuit states that the defendants ignored detailed refutations provided before publication and failed to allow adequate time for a response. It also alleged that the magazine did not respond to a letter sent by Patel’s lawyer, Jesse Binnall, to its editors.

Patel denies the allegations

The White House, the Department of Justice, and Patel himself have denied the allegations.

Story continues below this ad

“The Atlantic’s story is a lie. They were given the truth before they publication, and they chose to print falsehoods anyway,” Patel told Reuters.

Patel alleged that The Atlantic crossed a legal line and said the claims were fabricated to damage his reputation and career.

Atlantic stands by its reporting

In response, The Atlantic said it stands by its reporting and “will vigorously defend” itself and its journalists against what it called a meritless lawsuit.

The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.

A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.

All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.

Core Team

The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:

Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.

Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.

Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram

Patel denies the allegations

Atlantic stands by its reporting

Related Posts