Kash Patel agreed during a tense Senate budget hearing to take an alcohol use disorder test after Democrats questioned him over allegations of excessive drinking reported by The Atlantic.
During an exchange with Senator Chris Van Hollen, Patel said he would take any test “side by side” with the senator. The allegations stem from claims that Patel missed meetings and briefings because of late-night drinking. Patel has denied the accusations and filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine.
In a heated exchange during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel denied allegations of frequent drinking when asked by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) about a recent report by The Atlantic magazine which included allegations that Patel often drinks to excess. "It's a… pic.twitter.com/SSzWhxFOPA
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 12, 2026
The hearing also focused on President Donald Trump’s proposed FBI budget increase for fiscal year 2027. Patel defended the funding request by citing declines in murder rates, increased fentanyl seizures, and arrests of major fugitives.
Democratic senators also questioned Patel over alleged politicization of the FBI and claims involving polygraph tests and journalists.
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