Is FBI Director Kash Patel next? New report claims his exit is ‘only a matter of time’

FBI Director Kash Patel is reportedly the next high-level official at risk of being fired by President Trump. Despite the White House publicly maintaining confidence in him, several controversies have placed his 14-month tenure in jeopardy. 

Reports have been circulating regarding Patel’s drinking habits; while he admits to two prior past alcohol-related arrests, he denies allegations that he drinks to the point of intoxication while on the job.

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Last week, members of Patel’s security detail reportedly struggled to wake him on multiple occasions. Six sources claimed that high-level briefings and meetings were frequently rescheduled because Patel was incapacitated following nights of drinking. 

In March, hackers breached Patel’s personal email, releasing photos and his resume, which the Justice Department later confirmed as authentic. 

Additionally, a group of FBI agents has sued Patel and the DOJ after being fired for their previous investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This scrutiny follows the recent firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi, a figure Patel considered a mentor.

Trump was reportedly frustrated with Bondi over a lack of progress in prosecuting political opponents and her management of the Jeffrey Epstein files. 

Consequently, members of the House Judiciary Committee are demanding that Patel undergo a formal screening for “harmful patterns of alcohol consumption.”

In this regard, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Friday that President Trump “does still have confidence” in Patel, despite insiders suggesting his departure is only a matter of time. 

Patel also filed a $250 million lawsuit against The Atlantic following reports that he “is known to drink to the point of obvious intoxication.”

Previous reports suggest that retired FBI agents last year claimed he is “in over his head” and lacks a fundamental understanding of complex intelligence programs.

In response, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt dismissed these claims, citing plummeting crime rates and describing Patel as a “critical player” in the administration's law-and-order agenda. However, other officials believe that Patel’s behavior has become a threat to public safety and are curious about what will happen next.