![\"FBI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/19086346_051226-CC-AP-kash-patel-img.jpg\"\/)
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FBI Director Kash Patel speaks during a news conference at the Justice Department, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Washington.<\/p>\n
AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin, File<\/p>\n
Patel said last month<\/a> that he’s “never been intoxicated on the job,” following the report. Patel sued The Atlantic over the article, demanding $250 million in damages.<\/p>\n Asked about the article during an unrelated press conference last month, Patel railed against negative media coverage.<\/p>\n “I can say unequivocally that I never listen to the fake news mafia and when they get louder, it just means I’m doing my job,” Patel said.<\/p>\n In February, Patel joined in on Team USA hockey’s locker room celebrations<\/a> in Italy shortly after the team won the gold medal — a move that drew scrutiny about his use of FBI resources to attend.<\/p>\n Patel, a hockey fan, was said to have had meetings in Italy prior to attending the game. Ben Williamson, an FBI spokesperson,\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0on social media that Patel’s trip had been previously scheduled. He added that “any other personal expenses would be reimbursed.”<\/p>\n During the hearing, Patel is also expected to tout his successes at the FBI.<\/p>\n “Whether it’s rebuilding our entire backbone infrastructure, caring more for our workforce, actioning the business side of the house, eliminating bureaucracy, integrating AI, procuring equipment, developing new private sector partnerships – we have delivered the\u00a0changes you have been requesting for years and we did it in just over 1 year,” Patel said in a message to the FBI last week.\u00a0“Together, these reforms have truly transformed this FBI into the premier\u00a0modern-day law enforcement organization we need to be.”<\/p>\n