FBI Director sues The Atlantic magazine and seeks $250 million in damages

FBI Director Kash Patel filed a lawsuit against The Atlantic on the 20th and sought $250 million in damages. Patel accused the magazine of publishing an article claiming that he is an alcoholic and had unjustified absences, calling it a “malicious, defamatory attack.” The complaint Patel filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia states that Patel is suing The Atlantic and its contributing writer Sarah Fitzpatrick for $250 million because they “published an article packed with false and plainly fabricated allegations, intended to destroy Patel’s reputation and force him to step down—going beyond the bounds of the law.” The same day, The Atlantic issued a statement saying it would stand by its reporting on Patel and would firmly defend the publication and its reporters against this “baseless” lawsuit.

That magazine’s website published an article on the 17th, citing statements from more than 20 people who requested anonymity, expressing concern about Patel’s “obvious drunkenness and unjustified absences,” and saying that these actions “have drawn the attention of FBI and Department of Justice officials.” Patel is deeply worried that his position is in jeopardy and is very concerned about losing his job. The report also noted that the White House, the Department of Justice, and Patel himself have denied these allegations.

The Atlantic previously reported that sources said the White House is “actively discussing” dismissing multiple senior officials, including Patel, but that U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision. ( Xinhua News Agency )