The legal team representing FBI Director Kash Patel has contested The Atlantic magazine's attempt to dismiss a $250 million defamation lawsuit. Patel's attorney, Jesse Binnall, criticized the magazine's filing, stating that The Atlantic wants "one-sided discovery" to protect its sources while accessing government documents unimpeded.
"This again shows that they are afraid of the truth and believe they are above the law," Binnall told Fox News Digital. "We intend to prove them wrong and bring accountability to the fake news."
Patel filed the lawsuit in April, accusing The Atlantic and staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick of publishing a "defamatory hit piece" that included allegations of excessive drinking and erratic behavior during his tenure as FBI chief. Patel has denied these claims.
The Atlantic, in its motion to dismiss, argued that the lawsuit is "meritless" and that Patel is attempting to use legal tactics to intimidate the press. Editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg stated, "We will defend The Atlantic and its staff vigorously; we will not be intimidated by acts of politically motivated retaliation."
Goldberg added that the magazine is seeking permission to begin factual discovery from the FBI and the Department of Justice, including documents and depositions from key individuals. "If Director Patel did not want to face this process, he should not have filed this suit," he said.
The Atlantic's reporting, titled "The FBI Director is MIA," detailed several allegations, citing unnamed sources. These included claims of a "freak-out" over a tech issue, which Patel reportedly mistook for being fired, and instances of "excessive drinking" and "unexplained absences." The report also suggested that his alcohol consumption might have contributed to social media posts containing inaccurate information about active law enforcement investigations.
The FBI's rapid response team on X, formerly Twitter, criticized The Atlantic for "propagating false narratives" and stated it "adds no value to society except as the leading slop rag of the day."
Multiple members of the Trump administration, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, have publicly supported Patel in response to the allegations.