House Judiciary Committee Democrats launched a blistering attack on FBI Director Kash Patel Thursday after a report revealed he travels with a personalized bourbon brand engraved with his name and title. In a pointed social media post, they described the liquor as having 'strong notes of insecurity, narcissism, incompetence and alcohol-fueled national security risk.'
The lawmakers added that the bourbon 'pairs well with taxpayer-funded getaways and the occasional SWAT-assisted wake-up call,' referencing earlier reports of Patel's erratic behavior. They issued a mock warning that the drink 'impairs judgment, undermines critical FBI decisions and causes paranoia.'
The Atlantic reported that Patel has gifted bottles of this bourbon to FBI staff and civilians. Retired FBI agent Kurt Siuzdak told the outlet that several current agents contacted him in March after Patel brought the bourbon to the FBI training facility. According to Siuzdak, Patel 'lost his mind' when a bottle went missing and threatened to prosecute and polygraph his staff over the incident. Siuzdak advised agents to 'run from' Patel.
This follows earlier reporting that Patel was hard to reach after nights of heavy drinking and alarmed colleagues with unpredictable conduct. Patel dismissed those allegations in a social media post threatening legal action, writing, 'See you and your entire entourage of false reporting in court.' He later sued The Atlantic for $250 million, alleging defamation.
In a separate development, MS NOW reported Wednesday that the FBI launched an investigation into The Atlantic reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, who broke the initial story. The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, condemned the probe as 'an outrageous attack on the free press and the First Amendment itself,' vowing to defend the outlet vigorously.
The controversy adds to a string of scandals surrounding Patel since he took the helm at the FBI. Critics argue his behavior undermines the bureau's credibility, while supporters dismiss the attacks as partisan mudslinging. The FBI has not commented on the bourbon report.
This episode underscores the deepening rift between the Trump administration and congressional Democrats, who have also pressed for answers on potential pay-to-play in Trump pardons. Meanwhile, former President Obama has urged Democrats to communicate more authentically with working-class voters to counter such controversies.
