3 weeks ago
Embattled FBI head Kash Patel has denied nether oath allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences connected nan job, dismissing them arsenic “baseless” during a fiery legislature hearing.
Patel sought to push backmost arsenic Democrats challenged him complete nan “extremely alarming” reports, which ran successful nan Atlantic, which they based on would a equine to a “gross dereliction” of duty.
The FBI head has sued nan magazine, and nan writer of a communicative it published, filing a defamation suit successful US territory tribunal for nan District of Columbia that seeks $250m successful damages.
“It’s a full farce. I don’t moreover cognize wherever you get this stuff,” Patel told Chris Van Hollen, ranking personnel of nan Senate appropriations subcommittee, aft he asked astir nan claims reported by nan Atlantic. “I will not beryllium tarnished by baseless allegations.”
When Van Hollen asked if Patel would beryllium consenting to return a trial to find whether he has a drinking problem, nan FBI head snapped that he would – provided nan legislator would return it alongside him.
In his opening remarks, Van Hollen said: “What we are learning astir what’s happening astatine nan FBI is thing but normal. When your backstage actions make it intolerable for you to execute your nationalist duties, we person a large problem … these reports astir your conduct, including reports you’re being truthful drunk and hungover that your unit had to unit introduction into your location are highly alarming, if true, they show a gross dereliction of your work and a betrayal of nationalist trust.”
The Atlantic reported that Patel’s intoxicant depletion had go “a recurring root of interest crossed nan government”, citing interviews pinch much than 2 twelve people, including existent and erstwhile FBI officials.
The astir superior allegations see that his information item connected astatine slightest 1 juncture struggled to rouse him because he appeared intoxicated, and that agents had sought “Swat-level breaching equipment” to summation entree to a room wherever he was unresponsive down a locked door.
Patel has forcefully denied nan allegations. “Print it, each false, I’ll spot you successful tribunal – bring your checkbook,” he told nan magazine. The Atlantic has said it stands by its allegations.
