The Atlantic reporter behind Kash Patel report says she’s since been ‘inundated’ by sources reaffirming claims
The Atlantic journalist behind the bombshell report on FBI Director Kaş Patel The magazine is doubling down on its explosive claims as it faces a multimillion-dollar libel lawsuit.
“I stand by every word of this report,” Atlantic staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick said in a statement Thursday. “Radio Atlantic” podcast. “We were very diligent. We were very careful. It went through various levels of editing, review and maintenance.”
Fitzpatrick said that since his report was published, he has been “inundated” with responses confirming his report, including from government officials.
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“And I think … one of the most gratifying things right after the story was published was that I was inundated with additional resources going out to the highest levels of government thanking us for doing the work and providing additional corroborating information,” Fitzpatrick said.
“So this was unfortunately an open secret in Washington, and we took great care to bring it to light.”
FBI Director Kash Patel listens to a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill on March 18, 2026 in Washington.
(AP Newsroom)
An FBI spokesman said Fox News Digital“Despite the FBI’s obsession with distracting from its record-breaking historic success, doubling down on slanderous lies does not make them true.”
On Monday, Patel filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, saying in the lawsuit that Fitzpatrick and the magazine should be held accountable for a “sweeping, malicious and defamatory hit story” published last week.
“Defendants are, of course, free to criticize FBI leadership, but they overstepped the legal limit by publishing an article filled with false and clearly fabricated allegations designed to discredit Director Patel and remove him from office,” the lawsuit states.
The report, titled “FBI Director Is MIA,” outlined several serious allegations, including “erratic behavior,” “binge drinking,” and “unexplained absences.”
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The first allegation claimed that Patel “freaked out” while trying to log into a computer system earlier this month due to a technical issue that he believed had been fired by the President. Donald Trump He had to prepare an announcement following the dismissal of Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Atlantic cited nine unnamed sources familiar with the case.
“But according to many current officials, as well as former officials who remain close to him, he is deeply concerned that his job is in jeopardy. He has good reasons to think so — including some of his involvement in what witnesses described to me as binge drinking,” Fitzpatrick told readers, before referring to past rumors that Patel was also on his deathbed.
“The IT locking incident is emblematic of Patel’s tumultuous tenure as FBI director: Patel is erratic, suspicious of others, and prone to jumping to conclusions without obtaining the necessary evidence, according to more than two dozen people I interviewed about his behavior, including current and former FBI officials, personnel in law enforcement and intelligence agencies, hospitality industry insiders, members of Congress, political operatives, lobbyists, and former advisors.” Fitzpatrick wrote.
The report claimed that Patel had a habit of “conspicuous drunkenness” and was “known to drink to the point of apparent intoxication”; it was stated that this usually took place “in the presence of someone” at Ned’s private club in Washington, D.C. white house and other administrative personnel” and the Poodle Room in Las Vegas.
“Early in his tenure, six current and former officials and others familiar with Patel’s schedule said meetings and briefings had to be rescheduled for later in the day as a result of his alcohol-filled nights,” Fitzpatrick wrote.
“On several occasions last year members of the security team had difficulty waking Patel because he was apparently drunk, according to information given to him. Ministry of Justice and White House officials.”
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According to The Atlantic, the request for “breach equipment,” often used by SWAT to gain access to buildings, “was made last year because Patel could not be reached behind locked doors, according to multiple people familiar with the request.”
Unnamed sources also speculated whether alcohol consumption played a role in Patel’s social media posts sharing misinformation about active law enforcement investigations. what did he write Suspect Tyler Robinson before surrendering after the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Jesse Binnall, an attorney representing Patel, shared a letter sent to The Atlantic before the report was published, stating that the magazine should have given the FBI less than two hours to respond to the “defamatory allegations” before the deadline and that most of the 19 key allegations were “false.”
“The vast majority of the claims in the draft article are based solely on obscure, unattributed sources, such as ‘persons familiar with the subject’ or ‘some have characterized it.’ Since the claims are categorically false, it is not possible for any of such purported sources to have firsthand knowledge,” Binnall wrote.
The FBI has challenged the report and many members of the Trump administration, including the White House press secretary. Karoline Leavitt and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche expressed their support for Patel.
“Print it out, it’s all fake, see you in court, bring your checkbook,” Patel told The Atlantic in a statement included in the report.
Original article source: Atlantic reporter behind Kash Patel report says she’s been ‘inundated’ by sources who have since confirmed claims
