Senate Showdown: FBI Director Patel Clashes with Senator Over Drinking Allegations

At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 12, FBI Director Kash Patel faced tough questions from Senator Chris Van Hollen over reports of his excessive drinking and alleged misuse of government funds. Van Hollen cited claims that FBI staff once had to force entry into Patel’s home after finding him incapacitated and pressed him on personal trips paid by taxpayers. Patel fired back sharply, accusing Van Hollen of “slinging margaritas” in El Salvador with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man wrongly deported by US authorities last year. The senator rejected the claim as false and tensions rose as Patel repeatedly interrupted lawmakers and dodged questions on whether lying to Congress is a crime. The hearing also covered FBI investigations into disputed election-related matters from the 2020 and 2024 votes, with concerns about ballot searches in battleground states. Patel defended all actions as legal and court-approved. He added that his personal travel and days off are significantly lower than those of past directors. The session focused on the FBI’s proposed 2027 budget alongside DEA, ATF, and US Marshals officials.

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