WASHINGTON, D.C. — FBI Director Kash Patel testified before a Senate subcommittee in Washington, D.C., on May 12, 2026, rejecting allegations of excessive drinking and day-drinking on the job. Sen. Chris Van Hollen pressed Patel on the claims during the hearing.

"Reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming. If true, they represent a gross dereliction of your duty." Van Hollen said.

Patel denied the allegations. "It's a total farce. I don't even know where you get it from." he said. "I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations and fraudulent statements from the media."

Patel then turned the accusation back on the senator, claiming Van Hollen had charged a large bar tab to his campaign committee. "The only person that ran up a $7,000 bar tab in Washington, D.C. at the Lobby Bar was you. The only individual in this room that has been drinking on the taxpayer dime during the day is you." Patel said.

Patel later posted on social media what appeared to be a $7,000 catering expense from Van Hollen's campaign committee at the Lobby Bar. A spokesperson for Van Hollen said the expense was a catering charge at a local restaurant where the senator hosted an after-hours holiday reception for more than 50 members of his team, paid for by campaign funds and not taxpayer dollars. The FBI declined further comment on the social media post.

During the exchange, Patel also said: "Unlike your baseless reports, the only person that was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang-banging rapist was you." The remark referred to Van Hollen's April 2025 trip to visit Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, whom the administration said it had mistakenly deported there.

Van Hollen asked Patel whether he would take the audit test used to determine whether members of active duty military and others have a drinking problem. "I'll take any test you're willing to take." Patel responded. "Let's go. Side by side." he added. Van Hollen said he would take the test.

Patel has sued The Atlantic magazine for $250 million over the article about his alleged drinking. The lawsuit was filed against the publication over its reporting on the matter.