FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic for publishing a false and defamatory article on his tenure at the agency, alleging excessive drinking. The Atlantic published an article detailing alleged "alarm" among Patel's colleagues over his drinking and reported that the FBI Director was concerned that his job was in jeopardy. Patel denies these allegations and accuses both the publication and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick of publishing them with actual malice. Despite being warned before publication that the central allegations were categorically false, The Atlantic maintains that Patel’s alleged drinking forced FBI personnel to schedule briefings and meetings, and that his security detail requested breaching equipment due to their inability to reach the FBI director when doors were locked.