Patel’s alleged “excessive drinking” is the subject of a record investigation as Democrats look to oust him
A left-wing legal war group is trying to uncover records that might prove the FBI director Cash Battle – Engaging in behavior inappropriate for the role, such as “excessive drinking and unexcused absences.”
Democracy Forward, a group that supports the court’s left-wing political positions on issues such as DEI, immigration and abortion, sent a 16-page Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the House. Ministry of Justice Tuesday. It requests documents, timelines and communications seeking to prove the allegations made against Patel in a recent article in The Atlantic.
the a report It suggests the FBI director has a drinking problem, poses a national security risk, and is on top of ongoing management failures at the bureau — and it comes as lawmakers warn that Patel is “next” after three Trump Cabinet secretaries exited the administration in recent weeks.
Democrats’ ‘delay’ confirmation of Patel and FBI holdup dismissed as ‘baseless’ by top Senate leader
FBI Director Kash Patel arrives to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on September 16, 2025. (Chip Somodevila/Getty Images)
“Kash Patel should be next,” Democratic Rep. Katherine Clark said after news that Labor Secretary Lori Chavez de Remer would resign on Monday following an investigation into her alleged ethical lapses.
“Start the clock,” Senator Sheldon Whitehouse added after the Atlantic report.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Department of Justice, FBI and Patel’s representatives regarding the Freedom of Information Act request, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Meanwhile, Patel earlier this week filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over its reporting on his alleged behavior.
Democratic leadership has warned the FBI and Department of Justice that they have a duty to preserve all records related to alleged incidents involving Patel that could become the subject of a potential congressional investigation. Then came the Freedom of Information Act file.
“The Democracy Forward Foundation is seeking records that will help the public understand the issues raised in the Atlantic article as they relate to previous reporting about potential concerns surrounding Director Patel’s ability to manage a key… Law enforcement agency and its use of taxpayer funds,” the group’s letter to the Department of Justice said.
The group is interested in Patel’s calendars, schedule, text messages and other electronic communications between him and his employees. Democracy Forward is also specifically requesting any records that reflect “the request or use of ‘breach equipment’ that was provided or used by Director Kash Patel’s security detail.”
FBI candidate Kash Patel and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse appear in separate photos. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Tasos Katopoudis via Getty Images)
The request comes as the Justice Department faces a shake-up of its own following the firing of Pam Bondi as attorney general earlier this month. Todd Blanche, who was Bondi’s former deputy, serves as acting district attorney.
When asked about Patel’s future as the FBI’s top dog, Republican strategist Mark Bednar, who worked for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and current Transportation Secretary and former Congressman Sean Duffy, was more supportive of his tenure, arguing that the FBI had seen Positive change since Patel took over Cost.
“In the years before President Trump was elected to a second term, the American people were doing just that I lost trust in the FBI As an institution. Kash Patel is part of President Trump’s goal of revitalizing the agency and implementing his “Make America Safe Again” agenda, Bednar told Fox News Digital.
Click here to download the FOX NEWS app
President Donald Trump speaks alongside FBI Director Kash Patel during a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on October 15, 2025. (Kevin Deitch/Getty Images)
A separate GOP strategist, who requested to remain anonymous, argued that if Patel leaves it won’t be because of the hit The Atlantic article.
“If Cash Patel goes down, it will not be because of a devastating Atlantic story, which is a badge of honor in this administration,” they told Fox News Digital. “This is likely because the president is seen as becoming a liability in wartime, as well as wanting to clean house in one fell swoop as the midterm elections approach.”
“There is already blood in the water with the three ousted ministers selected, and the elimination of one more gives the president the opportunity to head into November with an updated roster and the best team around him.”
Post Comment