Patel Struggling With Damning Allegations Of Drinking, Lashes Out In Hearing

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – A fiery clash unfolded on Capitol Hill with Kash Patel on the defensive, lashing out at Senator Chris Van Hollen as a hearing spiraled into a personal confrontation.

The tense exchange came during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on May 12, where Van Hollen pressed Patel over allegations described in a report by The Atlantic detailing the FBI Director’s drinking.

“When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem. You cannot perform those public duties if you’re incapacitated,” Van Hollen said, citing reports of “erratic” behavior and “excessive drinking.”

He added, “And Director Patel, these reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming. If true, they demonstrate a gross dereliction of your duty and a betrayal of public trust,” as reported by Fox News.

Patel forcefully rejected the allegations, calling them “unequivocally, categorically false,” before turning and lashing out on the senator with accusations tied to a 2025 visit to El Salvador.

“The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you,” Patel said. Van Hollen immediately pushed back. “The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don’t know what you are talking about,” he replied, denying the claim.

Public records do not establish that the individual referenced, Abrego Garcia, is a convicted gang member or rapist, Fox News noted.

The dispute spilled beyond the hearing room a day later. Van Hollen disclosed results of an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test after Patel suggested both men take the screening “side by side.”

“Yesterday, @FBIDirectorKash told me he’d take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test if I did. Well, here’s mine,” Van Hollen said on May 13, sharing the outcome publicly.

“Given all the lies he told yesterday, I imagine he’ll fudge the numbers here, but let’s see yours, Director Patel.”

Democrats, including members of the House Judiciary Committee, have urged Patel to complete the 10-question AUDIT survey following the allegations detailed in the report, according to Fox News.