House Judiciary Democrats have formally requested FBI Director Kash Patel to complete an alcohol abuse assessment, citing concerns over his alleged drinking habits. In a letter led by Representative Jamie Raskin, Patel is asked to take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and submit a sworn statement, along with security clearance questionnaires.
The Democrats allege that Patel's conduct has compromised national security, including delays in terror-related decisions and inaccurate information in high-profile investigations. They claim his unavailability affected FISA warrant issuance and the manhunt after a mass shooting at Brown University, as well as the search for Charlie Kirk's assassin.
An investigation by The Atlantic reported that Patel's alcohol consumption has raised concerns across government, with claims that his security detail struggled to rouse him and sought breaching equipment to access a locked room. Patel has denied the allegations, stating he has never been intoxicated on the job, and has filed a $250m defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.
Senator Dick Durbin has called for Patel's removal, accusing him of weaponising the FBI for political interests. Democrats have also urged committee chairman Jim Jordan to compel Patel's testimony under oath if he fails to comply with their demands.
