FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick. Patel alleges that The Atlantic published false claims about his conduct, including accusations of “excessive drinking” and “unexplained absences” while leading the FBI. The lawsuit aims to seek damages and other relief for the alleged defamation.
The legal filing by Patel states that the article contained fabricated allegations meant to tarnish his reputation and remove him from office. The lawsuit asserts that the claims made in the article, which included incidents of inappropriate conduct during his tenure, are false and malicious. Patel’s lawyer emphasized that defamatory speech is not protected under free speech laws.
The Atlantic defended its reporting, standing by the article’s content on Patel. The publication vowed to vigorously defend itself and its journalists against the lawsuit. The lawsuit against The Atlantic comes amidst increased scrutiny of Patel’s leadership, with thousands signing a petition calling for an investigation into his conduct. Patel has refuted the allegations, claiming they are based on anonymous sources with ulterior motives.
Patel, who has been leading the FBI since February 2025, has been involved in previous defamation litigation related to media coverage. This lawsuit marks at least the second defamation claim he has filed while in office. The case is set to proceed in federal court in Washington.
