FBI Director Kash Patel said that he intends to file a lawsuit against The Atlantic, following a report that accused him of misconduct, including claims of excessive drinking. Speaking on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Patel confirmed the legal action is imminent.
“Absolutely, it’s coming tomorrow,” he said when asked if he planned to move forward with a lawsuit.
The dispute centers on a recent article published by The Atlantic, written by staff reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick. The piece cited anonymous sources who alleged Patel displayed erratic behavior, had unexplained absences, and struggled with alcohol during his time leading the FBI. According to the report, some meetings were reportedly rescheduled due to late nights involving drinking, and there were instances where security personnel had difficulty reaching him.
Patel pushed back on those claims during the interview, dismissing them as politically motivated and untrue. He framed the report as part of a broader pattern of unfair media coverage in Washington.
“If the fake news mafia isn’t hitting you personally with baseless information in Washington, D.C., then you’re not doing your job,” Patel said.
He also pointed to what he described as measurable successes under his leadership. Patel cited a drop in homicide rates and opioid overdose deaths, along with an increase in efforts to identify and rescue child victims. He added that the agency had seized large quantities of fentanyl and made progress in capturing high-profile fugitives.
The Atlantic, for its part, has stood by its reporting. Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg said the publication remains confident in the story, while Fitzpatrick publicly defended the article, saying she stands by every word and that the reporting went through a thorough vetting process.
Patel’s attorney, Jesse Binnall, said the publication had been warned ahead of time that many of the claims were false. In a letter sent before the article was published, Binnall argued that The Atlantic gave the FBI less than two hours to respond to numerous allegations. He also claimed that most of the substantive points raised in the report were inaccurate.
“They were on notice that the claims were categorically false and defamatory. They published anyway,” Binnall said.
The report also drew reactions from other officials in the administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Patel as a key figure, while Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche criticized the article’s reliance on anonymous sources.
Patel framed the lawsuit as part of a larger effort to challenge media narratives he sees as misleading or hostile. Referencing ongoing tensions between political figures and the press, he made clear he does not plan to let the allegations go unanswered. “We have to fight back against the fake news,” he said. “I won’t tolerate their attacks on me.”
