Episode Details

The Atlantic published a bombshell investigation this week reporting that FBI Director Kash Patel is a hard-drinking alcoholic whose addiction is actively interfering with his ability to do his job. His security detail has requested breaching equipment, the kind SWAT teams use, to wake him up because he was unreachable behind a locked door. He’s known to drink to obvious intoxication at a Washington club called Ned’s in front of White House staff, then spend his weekends at the Poodle Room in Las Vegas on the FBI jet.

More than two dozen sources told The Atlantic that early morning meetings had to be rescheduled because of his alcohol-fueled nights, that agents were losing their minds waiting for time-sensitive decisions, and that officials are genuinely alarmed about what happens if there’s a terrorist attack while Patel is unavailable.

He was confirmed 51-49 because Trump wanted someone personally loyal running federal law enforcement. He’s purged agents who worked January 6th cases, fired a counterintelligence squad focused on Iran days before the US went to war with Iran, and polygraphs employees to find out if anyone has said anything mean about him.

He responded to The Atlantic by filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit, which immediately backfired when his own lawsuit confirmed the very thing the FBI had previously called 100% false. If the lawsuit moves forward, there will be discovery. The last thing Kash Patel wants is a deposition.

BlisterPearl on X called him and Hegseth the liquor cabinet. No notes. Hat tip to Sarah Fitzpatrick and The Atlantic for the reporting.