Kash Patel rips Chris Van Hollen over drinking allegations in heated Senate clash

WASHINGTON, DC: A tense Senate hearing erupted into a dramatic showdown on Tuesday, May 12, as FBI Director Kash Patel locked horns with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen over accusations of overconsumption of alcohol and day drinking.

The heated exchange unfolded during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee discussion of the FBI’s budget, where Hollen confronted Patel over allegations raised in a recent Atlantic article that cast doubt on his leadership of the bureau

“These reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home, are extremely alarming," Van Hollen said to Patel.

"If true, they demonstrate a gross dereliction of your duty and a betrayal of public trust,” he added.

Patel denies allegations levelled by Hollen

The Atlantic article alleged that the FBI director has a history of what it described as “conspicuous inebriation,” alleging he frequently drank to the point of visible intoxication at venues including Ned’s private club in Washington, DC, often in front of White House and administration officials, as well as the Poodle Room in Las Vegas.

It also claimed that members of Patel’s security had difficulty waking him up on multiple occasions in the past year “because he was seemingly intoxicated.”

Patel vehemently denied the allegation, calling the reports "unequivocally and categorically false."

“It’s a total farce. I don’t even know where you get it from,” he added before maintaining that he “will not be tarnished by baseless allegations and fraudulent statements from the media.”

Patel has already filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic and journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick over the article, calling it a “sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece.”

Patel drags Hollen over the El Salvador trip

The hearing quickly spiraled into a charged confrontation as Patel repeatedly interrupted and raised his voice over Hollen while aggressively pushing back against the allegations.

At one point, Patel sought to counterattack politically by dragging Hollen over the infamous El Salvador trip involving a meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been detained there after an arrest in Maryland.

“The only individual drinking on the taxpayer’s dime is you,” he slammed, adding, “Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convict was you.”

Abrego has not been convicted of gang involvement or rape, though Trump administration officials have accused him of ties to MS-13, claims he denies, while he currently awaits trial on human trafficking charges.

During Hollen’s meeting with Abrego in El Salvador, officials served drinks resembling margaritas, prompting President Nayib Bukele to mock the encounter online, though the Senator later insisted he never touched the drink.

Patel leveled several more allegations at Hollen, saying, “The only person who ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, DC, at the Lobby Bar was you. The only individual in this room that has been drinking on the taxpayer's dime during the day is you.”

“Drink during the day, that’s you. This is the ultimate example of hypocrisy,” he yelled.

Hollen challenges Patel to take the audit test

At one point in the hearing, Hollen challenged Patel on whether he would agree to undergo the same alcohol screening test used to assess drinking problems among active-duty military personnel and other officials.

“I’ll take any test you’re willing to take,” Patel responded, to which Hollen replied, “I will take it.”

“Let’s go. Side by side,” Patel added.

Following Tuesday’s hearing, Senator Chris Van Hollen told NBC News that even if earlier reports about Patel’s drinking had not already raised concerns about his suitability to lead the FBI, his conduct during the hearing itself did, calling him “a disgrace” to the position.