Patel sues The Atlantic for $250M following publication of 'defamatory hit piece'

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over an article published last week. The complaint, obtained by NBC News, names the publication’s parent company, The Atlantic Monthly Group LLC (AMG), and staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick as defendants.

 

“Defendants are of course free to criticize the leadership of the FBI, but they crossed the legal line by publishing an article replete with false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy Director Patel’s reputation and drive him from office,” the suit stated.

The article leveled several serious allegations against Patel, citing a “drinking problem” and erratic behavior, including “unexplained” absences. Fitzpatrick reportedly relied on a wide array of “anonymous sources,” allegedly including former FBI officials, intelligence personnel, members of Congress, and hospitality workers.

One specific anecdote claimed Patel “freaked out” after being unable to log into a computer system, allegedly fearing he had been fired by the White House. While the incident was ultimately a technical glitch, sources claimed it reflected Patel’s deep-seated anxiety regarding his job security. In his lawsuit, Patel categorically denies these claims, describing the computer incident as a “routine technical problem” that was resolved quickly.

 

Furthermore, the suit alleges that the FBI had explicitly informed the outlet and Fitzpatrick that the rumors of his impending termination and “freak-out” were entirely fabricated.

“They are so demonstrably and obviously false, or easily refuted, that it was at best reckless to publish them,” the suit added.

At its core, the article centers on Patel’s alleged alcohol consumption, claiming that “excessive drinking” has hindered his ability to perform his duties as FBI director. According to the piece, various witnesses described him as engaging in frequent bouts of intoxication that purportedly compromised his professional responsibilities.

 

“As discussed above, these claims about erratic behavior and excessive drinking are fabricated, and Defendants were on notice of this,” the suit stated.

In an interview with Maria Bartiromo of Fox News,

 

 Patel, in light of the allegations, touted the success of the FBI. “So if I’m not doing my job, if I’m not working, then how is it that the FBI delivered the safest America under President Trump’s leadership in the history of our country,” he declared.

The document also pointed to past hit pieces on Patel by The Atlantic.

“AMG, through The Atlantic, has for months pursued a demonstrable editorial campaign to damage Director Patel’s reputation and force him from office,” the suit stated. “Numerous Atlantic pieces over the past two years have characterized Director Patel as unqualified, dangerous, corrupt, or mentally unstable,” it added.

All the sources cited by Fitzpatrick were anonymous, the piece reiterates. 

 

“Indeed, Fitzpatrick could not get a single person to go on the record in defense of these outrageous allegations, instead relying entirely on anonymous sources she knew to be both highly partisan with an ax to grind and also not in a position to know the facts,” it stated.

Fitzpatrick reported that many of her sources chose anonymity over traditional whistleblower channels due to alleged fears of retaliation, further claiming that Patel aggressively targets those he perceives as “insufficiently loyal.” However, the lawsuit emphasizes that the FBI formally warned the publication the claims were false prior to print — a denial that Fitzpatrick acknowledged within the article itself.

“Print it, all false, I’ll see you in court — bring your checkbook,” Patel reportedly said in an FBI statement, per The Atlantic article.

The article also included a statement provided to Fitzpatrick by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

“Patel has accomplished more in 14 months than the previous administration did in four years. Anonymously sourced hit pieces do not constitute journalism,” Blanche said.