Washington, D.C. — FBI Director Kash Patel forcefully denied allegations that he drinks excessively while on the job during a tense Senate hearing Tuesday, challenging Sen. Chris Van Hollen to take an alcohol screening test alongside him.
The confrontation occurred during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing after Van Hollen questioned Patel about a recent Atlantic article alleging the FBI director had been unreachable to staff at times because of heavy drinking. Patel called the claims “unequivocally, categorically false” and accused the media of spreading fraudulent allegations.
When Van Hollen referenced the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, a standard alcohol screening tool, Patel responded, “I’ll take any test you’re willing to take.”
The exchange escalated further when Patel accused the Maryland Democrat of “slinging margaritas on the taxpayer dime” during a trip to El Salvador involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deportation case that drew national attention last year. Van Hollen denied the accusation and said photographs from the meeting had been staged to falsely imply alcohol consumption.
The hearing also focused on Patel’s proposed FBI budget, agency staffing changes, and travel tied to official duties. Patel defended his leadership and denied reports that FBI resources were being used to pursue journalists or assist with his $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
