House Judiciary Democrats have formally demanded FBI Director Kash Patel undergo an alcohol abuse assessment, citing concerns over his alleged drinking habits. In a letter led by Representative Jamie Raskin, the committee requested Patel complete the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a World Health Organization screening tool, and submit the results to Congress along with a sworn statement.
The letter alleges that Patel's conduct has compromised national security, including delays in terror-related decisions such as Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants, and undermined investigations into a mass shooting at Brown University and the search for the assassin of Charlie Kirk. Democrats claimed Patel broadcast inaccurate information in both cases.
Patel has faced additional criticism for travelling to Milan to watch the US men's hockey team win Olympic gold and chugging a beer in the locker room. The AUDIT test, scored from 0 to 40, identifies hazardous drinking at eight or higher. Democrats also requested all security clearance questionnaires Patel has completed since taking office.
The pressure extends to the Senate, where Dick Durbin called for Patel's removal, accusing him of weaponising the FBI for President Trump's interests. An investigation by The Atlantic reported that Patel's alcohol consumption had caused concern across government, with allegations that his security detail struggled to rouse him and sought breaching equipment to access a locked room where he was unresponsive.
Patel has denied the allegations, filing a $250m defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic. He stated, 'I've never been intoxicated on the job,' and challenged reporters to 'bring it on.' Democrats have also urged House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan to compel Patel's appearance at a formal hearing if he fails to comply with their demands by next week.
