Washington, D.C. — FBI Director Kash Patel is facing growing controversy following reports about personalized bourbon bottles bearing his name and allegations that he ordered widespread polygraph testing inside the bureau to identify suspected media leaks.
Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee mocked Patel Thursday after reports surfaced that he occasionally traveled with branded bourbon bottles engraved with his name and FBI title. In a social media post, Democratic lawmakers sarcastically described the bourbon as containing “notes of insecurity, narcissism, incompetence and alcohol-fueled national security risk.”
The criticism follows reporting by The Atlantic alleging Patel threatened staff after a commemorative bourbon bottle reportedly went missing during a visit to the FBI training academy. Former FBI agent Kurt Siuzdak claimed agents described Patel becoming angry over the missing bottle and discussing polygraphs and possible prosecutions.
Additional reporting from Mediaite and MSNow stated Patel recently ordered polygraph tests for more than two dozen current and former aides as part of an effort to identify individuals leaking information to reporters. Sources described morale inside the bureau as tense, though FBI officials denied Patel had become isolated or unstable.
The FBI defended Patel and said the commemorative bottles were part of a longstanding bureau tradition predating his tenure. Officials also stated Patel reimbursed the bureau for any personal gifts and complied with ethics guidelines.
Patel has denied allegations involving excessive drinking and erratic behavior and recently filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over its reporting.
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