FBI Investigates Journalist Over Article on Kash Patel's Drinking Habits
Kash Patel bourbon: FBI starts investigation against journalist over Atlantic magazine story about Kash Patel's drinkinh habits
The Economic Times
Image: The Economic Times
The FBI has initiated a criminal leak investigation into journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, who wrote a critical article about Kash Patel, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine, claiming the article is defamatory and harmful to his career.
- 01Kash Patel has filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine and journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick.
- 02The article accused Patel of excessive drinking and jeopardized his position as FBI director.
- 03The FBI's investigation into the journalist is unusual, as leak probes typically target government officials.
- 04The Atlantic's editor condemned the investigation as an attack on press freedom.
- 05Patel has faced accusations of purging disloyal agents since becoming FBI director.
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The FBI has reportedly opened a criminal leak investigation focusing on journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, who authored a critical piece about Kash Patel, the head of the FBI. Patel filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine and Fitzpatrick, alleging that the article is a malicious and defamatory attack that threatens his career. The Atlantic's report claimed Patel frequently drinks excessively and suggested his job is in jeopardy due to unexplained absences. The investigation is notable because it targets a journalist rather than government officials, which is typically the focus of such probes. An FBI spokesman denied the existence of the investigation, while The Atlantic's editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, condemned it as an outrageous assault on press freedom, vowing to defend the publication and its staff against politically motivated retaliation. Patel's tenure as FBI director has been marked by accusations of purging agents perceived as disloyal to former President Donald Trump.
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This investigation could set a concerning precedent for press freedom in the U.S., potentially affecting journalists' ability to report on government officials without fear of retaliation.
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