House Judiciary Democrats launch investigation into FBI Director Patel alleged alcohol abuse demanding screening test

Rep. Jamie Raskin and House Judiciary Committee Democrats on April 22 launched an investigation into reports that FBI Director Kash Patel has engaged in a pattern of alcohol abuse, citing national security concerns from an Atlantic report based on more than two dozen sources detailing excessive drinking, unexplained absences, and profanity-laced outbursts. Democrats sent letters dated April 21 to both Patel and Chairman Jim Jordan, demanding Patel submit by April 28 a completed 10-question WHO-developed AUDIT questionnaire under penalty of perjury, a sworn statement attesting to accuracy, security clearance questionnaires, and relevant communications, with members urging Jordan to compel sworn testimony if Patel refuses. Patel on April 20 filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick; a federal judge separately dismissed his defamation suit against former FBI official and MSNBC analyst Frank Figliuzzi on April 21 over nightclub-frequenting claims.