A federal judge in Texas has dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought by FBI Director Kash Patel against former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence, Frank Figliuzzi, over claims that he had spent more time at nightclubs than he did at his office. The judge stated that Figlizzi's statement was "rhetoric", not meant to condemn. However, he ruled that Figilizzi could not legally recover attorneys' fees and costs under Texas's anti-terrorism law.