Only matter of time: Bombshell report claims FBI chief Kash Patel to be fired soon

A report says Donald Trump is likely to back the removal of FBI director Kash Patel after weeks of damaging coverage and allegations, including his alleged excessive drinking habit.

In Short

• Senior White House official highlights negative press against Kash Patel
• The Atlantic cited officials alleging absences, drinking habit, probe delays
• Kash Patel has denied charges, has filed USD 250 million defamation suit

Kash Patel is likely to be removed as FBI director with the backing of Donald Trump, according to a report that points to mounting negative coverage around him in recent months, including about his alleged excessive drinking habit.

Citing a senior White House official, Politico reported that Patel could be the next Cabinet-level exit. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the steady stream of unfavourable headlines had become a major concern, describing it as "not a good look for a Cabinet secretary" and adding that Trump was increasingly frustrated by the distraction.

"It's only a matter of time," the official said.

The development came amid a broader churn within the administration. Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi have already been dismissed in recent months. Todd Lyons has announced he will step down next month, while John Phelan was removed last week by Pete Hegseth.

Even as speculation over Patel's future as FBI chief has intensified, the White House has publicly backed him. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Politico that Patel remains "a critical player on the administration's law and order team".

At the centre of the storm is a series of allegations detailed in a report by The Atlantic, which cited roughly two dozen current and former officials.

The report claimed Patel's colleagues were alarmed by his drinking habits and unexplained absences, alleging that his security detail had struggled to wake him due to intoxication and that he drank heavily at a private club in Washington. It also flagged concerns within the bureau that his conduct could pose risks to public safety, with some officials describing him as 'unreachable' and saying investigations were delayed.

Patel, however, has rejected the claims outright and moved to court. In a USD 250 million defamation suit against the magazine, he accused it and one of its reporters of publishing a "defamatory article" packed with "false and obviously fabricated allegations designed to destroy his reputation and drive him from office".

"None of these events occurred. The FBI had also told the publication before the story went to print that the claims were all false. Print it, all false, I'll see you in court. Bring your chequebook," his filing stated.

Some of his conduct has drawn public attention. A video that circulated widely on social media showed Patel drinking beer, banging a table and celebrating with the US men's hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The report said Trump, who does not consume alcohol, later called Patel to convey his displeasure.

Separate from the allegations, Patel has faced criticism over his handling of sensitive information. After the killing of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk last September, he announced that a suspect was already in custody, though Tyler Robinson had not yet surrendered. In December, he said a person of interest had been detained in a shooting at Brown University, but that individual was released hours later.

His decisions have also sparked scrutiny. Reports said that Patel deployed a SWAT team to provide security for his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, during her performance at a convention of the National Rifle Association. When no credible threat emerged, the agents withdrew, after which Patel allegedly "ripped into" the team's commander, according to The New York Times.

The controversy has unfolded alongside sweeping changes inside the FBI. Patel dismissed a large number of agents, including those linked to investigations involving Trump and members of a counterintelligence unit monitoring threats from Iran shortly before the Middle East war began.

One episode highlighted in The Atlantic's report added to the concerns. On April 10, Patel reportedly believed he had been fired after being unable to log into an internal system, even informing aides of his dismissal. The issue was later traced to a technical error. While his lawsuit dismissed the account as 'fabricated', sources suggested the confusion reflected broader uncertainty around his position.

- Ends