FBI Director Kash Patel said recent reports alleging he drinks excessively are “categorically false” as he testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday afternoon.
Patel’s tenure has been marked by a number of controversies, including a bombshell report from The Atlantic alleging a pattern of unexplained absences and excessive drinking. He has denied those allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against the magazine.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen’s questioning centered on The Atlantic’s reporting, which Patel testified was “unequivocally, categorically false.” Van Hollen also asked Patel if he’d be willing to take a test that screens for alcohol abuse.
“I’ll take any test you’re willing to take,” he replied.
After Van Hollen said he would take the test, Patel added, “Let’s go, side-by-side.”
Democratic Senator Patty Murray pressed Patel about his leadership of the FBI, and said the agency needs a leader who is “focused on solving criminal cases, not passing out branded bourbon or jetting around the globe.”
Patel responded by touting his accomplishments at the agency, which include a “20 point drop in the homicide rate” and the arrest of “45,000 violent offenders” in 2025.
Earlier Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before House and Senate Appropriations subcommittees to justify President Donald Trump’s $1.5 trillion budget request for the U.S. military.
Read MoreThe House shredded a combative Hegseth on Iran. A worse fate awaits him on Thursday in the Senate
Key Points
- FBI Director Kash Patel calls reports about drinking and absences 'categorically false'
- Senator lashes out at Kash Patel: 'You cannot perform those public duties if you're incapacitated'
- Iran war has cost U.S. $29 billion, Pentagon official says
- House Democrats mark ‘news phase’ of Epstein probe with Palm Beach hearing
ICYMI: Watch as Pete Hegseth's Senate hearing interrupted by anti-Iran war protester
22:19 , Katie HawkinsonCapitol security removed a protester after she interrupted the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing.
Watch below:
Watch: FBI Director responds to allegations of excessive drinking
22:19 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel sparred with Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen over reports that he drinks to excess.
Watch the exchange below:
Senate hearing concludes
21:30 , Katie HawkinsonThe Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing has ended.
The hearing, which lasted more than two hours, featured testimony from FBI Director Kash Patel and other federal law enforcement leaders.
Kash Patel outlines security measures for FIFA World Cup
21:21 , Katie HawkinsonRepublican Senator Jerry Moran asked FBI Director Kash Patel about security measures in place for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“Our best partners are our state and local partners, and providing the training that we do for our Counter-UAS program to our host cities and our base camp cities is critical to that,” Patel said.
He added that the agency is prepared to “surge to those cities ahead of time and during the World Cup staging events.”
“We've also completed, or will complete, 300,000 background checks for individuals coming associated with the FIFA World Cup,” Patel said.
Patty Murray says FBI needs 'serious leadership'
21:01 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Patty Murray said the FBI needs “serious leadership.”
“We need somebody at this agency who's focused on solving criminal cases, not passing out branded bourbon or jetting around the globe,” Murray said.
“Your job is to be reachable ... if you want to pass out liquor, pop bottles in a locker room, stick to podcasting. Leave law and order to people who really do care about justice and appearances,” she added.
Patel responded by touting his accomplishments at the agency, which include a “20 point drop in the homicide rate” and the arrest of “45,000 violent offenders” in 2025, which he said was “twice as many as 2024.”
Kash Patel defends travel history
20:52 , Katie HawkinsonRepublican Senator John Kennedy asked FBI Director Kash Patel about the importance of traveling to speak with agency personnel.
“Is it important that you go out there and travel and talk to our line agents and try to maintain morale?” he asked.
“That's one of the most important parts of the job ... When it comes to travel, I've actually traveled one-third less for personal holidays than my prior two predecessors combined, and I've taken half as many days off as my prior predecessors combined,” Patel replied.
Kash Patel says FBI is not targeting or investigating journalists
20:23 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel denied reports that his agency is investigating journalists.
“There are reports that you're using FBI resources to investigate journalists for reporting what's going on, and that is absolutely not what this committee intended when we funded the bureau,” Democratic Senator Patty Murray said.
“Can you commit to this committee today that no agent hours have been pulled from other work — like counterterrorism or violent crime investigations — to work on matters related to negative press about you or your personal lawsuit?” she asked.
“Senator, I greatly appreciate the question, and I can tell you unequivocally, this FBI is targeting and investigating no journalists. This FBI is targeting no journalists,” Patel said.
House Democrats previously demanded Kash Patel take alcohol abuse test
20:08 , Katie Hawkinson, Alex WoodwardFBI Director Kash Patel testified that he’s willing to take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, also known as AUDIT.
A group of House lawmakers wrote to Patel last month asking him to submit to the test, which they described as the “gold standard.” If he doesn’t, the committee “will be requiring him to appear at a hearing in person and under oath to address members’ well-founded concerns,” they said.
The letter included a copy of the test, which asks Patel such questions as “how many drinks containing alcohol do you have on a typical day when you are drinking” and “how often during the last year have you failed to do what was normally expected from you because of drinking.”
Read more about the letter:
House Democrats launch investigation into Kash Patel and demand alcohol abuse test
Kash Patel says he's willing to take test screening for alcohol abuse
19:49 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel told Senator Chris Van Hollen he’s willing to take a test that screens for unhealthy alcohol use.
“Are you willing to take the test? It's called the AUDIT test that members of our active duty military and others take to determine whether they have a drinking problem,” Van Hollen said.
“I’ll take any test you’re willing to take,” Patel replied.
After the senator said he’s also willing to take it, Patel added, “Let’s go, side-by-side.”
Patel calls recent reports about drinking 'categorically false'
19:46 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel called allegations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences “categorically false.”
“Multiple reports, including reporting by The Atlantic, have alleged episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and behavior that concern current and former FBI and DOJ officials,” Senator Chris Van Hollen said.
Patel has repeatedly denied these allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic.
Van Hollen continued: “You have publicly denied those allegations and filed a defamation lawsuit. So today, as you testify before Congress, is it your testimony that those allegations are categorically false?”
“Unequivocally, categorically false,” Patel replied.
“So there have been no occasions during your tenure when FBI personnel were unable to promptly reach you?” Van Hollen asked.
“Absolutely not. You can ask my entire workforce, they hear from me at every single hour of the day, as do these great gentlemen here, as do the men and women of the interagency and state and local law enforcement and the White House,” Patel said.
FBI preparing for FIFA World Cup, Patel says
19:36 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel said his agency is getting ready for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
“This summer, all eyes are focused on the World Cup. The FBI and DHS stand ready, learning from our valuable experiences and focusing on a 14-month lift to ensure everybody is taken care of when they visit our country for this World Cup event,” he said.
Eleven U.S. cities will host World Cup matches this summer.
Top Democrat accuses FBI of paying millions to FBI agents who were fired for misconduct
19:27 , Alex WoodwardMoments before Kash Patel’s testimony, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee announced an investigation into an alleged scheme at the Department of Justice to direct millions of taxpayer dollars to FBI agents who were fired for misconduct at the bureau.
In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Rep. Jamie Raskin alleges the DOJ directed the FBI to send lump cash payments and backpay to agents who were reinstated to their jobs after they were let go for allegedly leaking classified information, lying to investigators, and participating in the January 6 attack.
“All of these handouts constitute an astounding and lawless abuse of government office and taxpayer dollars,” Raskin wrote.
In one case, an agent is accused of receiving “hundreds of thousands of dollars in backpay” after he allegedly joined the mob on January 6. In another, an agent who allegedly refused to investigate a violent white nationalist group and “engaged in a commercial sex act while on official travel overseas” was reinstated with compensation, according to Raskin.
Kash Patel responds to Van Hollen
19:23 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel responded to Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen after he called out “extremely alarming” reports about his conduct
”Categorically, Mr. Vice Chairman, when you say there's credible reporting, just because you say it's credible doesn't make it so,” Patel said.
“This FBI is doing historic levels of crime reduction across the country. I'm proud to lead it. And if you want to cite media reporting to discredit the men and women of the FBI, go right ahead. The target’s right here. The mission has never been more successful,” he added.
Senator Van Hollen slams Kash Patel: 'You cannot perform those public duties if you're incapacitated'
19:13 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said recent reports about FBI Director Kash Patel’s conduct are “extremely alarming.”
“I don't care one bit about your private life, and I don't give a damn about what you do on your own time and your own dime, unless and until it interferes with your public responsibilities,” Van Hollen told Patel.
He went on to say that leading the FBI is an “awesome responsibility.”
”When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem,” Van Hollen said.
“You cannot perform those public duties if you're incapacitated, 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,” he added.
Patel has repeatedly denied these allegations.
Patel set to testify
18:55 , Katie HawkinsonFBI Director Kash Patel will soon appear before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee to defend President Donald Trump’s proposed budget for his agency.
Patel will be joined by top officials from the ATF, DEA and U.S. Marshals Service.
Watch: Pete Hegseth's Senate hearing interrupted by anti-Iran war protester
18:40 , Katie HawkinsonCapitol security removed a protester after she interrupted the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing.
"If you approve this budget, you will be complicit in the war crimes of this administration,” the protester shouted.
She also said the Iranian-American community is opposed to the war.
Watch the moment below:
Watch: Pentagon official says Iran war has cost $29Bn so far
18:10 , Katie HawkinsonJules Hurst, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, told House lawmakers the Iran war has cost $29 billion so far.
Watch the full moment below:
Senate hearing ends
17:48 , Katie HawkinsonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine have finished testifying before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense.
Later this afternoon, FBI Director Kash Patel is expected to testify about the administration’s budget as it pertains to law enforcement.
Hegseth pressed on military options for opening Strait of Hormuz
17:45 , Katie HawkinsonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth faced additional questions about the Strait of Hormuz from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy.
Murphy asked: “Can you just confirm for the committee that there is not a military mechanism or means to reopen the strait, that ultimately we have to essentially use diplomacy — economic diplomacy, in this case — in order to convince Iran to make the decision to reopen the strait?”
“There most certainly are military means by which we could open the strait, both on targets on land and also with what we do with our naval capabilities, not to mention our naval blockade,” Hegseth said.
“If that's true — and that's not what has been testified to us in private briefings — why haven't you done that?” Murphy replied.
“Ultimately, a preferred long-term approach would be a deal where they open it up, where they stop being pirates of international waters and allow countries from all nations to flow,” Hegseth added.
Senator asks Hegseth about plan to reopen Strait of Hormuz
17:36 , Katie HawkinsonSenator Chris Coons asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to describe his plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“From the beginning, we've been very clear about the military objectives and the underlying strategic objective, which is preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon,” Hegseth replied.
After some back-and-forth, Coons said he’s concerned about a “strategic loss.”
“My concern, Mr. Secretary, is that you’ve achieved a series of tactical successes, but are on the verge of a strategic loss,” the senator explained.
“Just to get so foolish, here we are in a committee in the United States Senate, 74 days in, and you’re talking about strategic loss,” Hegseth replied. “We have the ability to defeat a 47-year threat of a pursuit of a nuclear weapon, we have more leverage than we've ever had, we've had incredible battlefield successes, and you're talking about a strategic loss?”
“Mr. Secretary, I am not your enemy, sir. I am not your adversary. I share your goal of preventing Iran from ever having a usable nuclear weapon,” Coons said.
Hegseth pressed on cost of Iran war
17:11 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Patty Murray pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the cost of the Iran war.
“People are paying $4, $5, even $6, $7 for gas, and American taxpayers are now on the hook as well for paying for this disastrous war,” Murray said. “You’re spending families’ hard-earned tax dollars on a war that many strongly oppose, and you're forcing people to pay more at the pump. And yet, you're not even providing a real breakdown for the cost of this war so far.”
Murray asked what American families will have to give up for the new defense budget.
“The President has called Medicaid, Medicare and childcare ‘little scams,’ and said, ‘we're fighting wars, we cannot take care of daycare,’” she said. “I'm just trying to understand that — is it your position ... that American families should be forced to give up childcare and health coverage so that you can have $1.5 trillion for this budget?”
“That's not my department. I certainly support this, and I also support the president's efforts to find and remove fraud wherever possible,” Hegseth said.
He added that the president has “proposed a historic $1.5 trillion budget that will defend the nation and confront threats like Iran, which previous presidents allowed to happen.”
Gen. Dan Caine faces question on whether U.S. anticipated Strait of Hormuz closure
16:34 , Katie HawkinsonRepublican Senator Susan Collins asked Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine whether U.S. officials anticipated the closure of the Strait of Hormuz while planning operations in Iran.
Caine said he can’t comment on any advice he might have given to the president in private, and explained that military leaders have considered the “full range” of options.
“You should rest assured, as should the American people, that we cover and consider the full range of things all the time in our careful consideration of military actions and the advice and or options that we present to our civilian leaders,” Caine said.
Protester removed from Senate hearing
16:07 , Katie HawkinsonCapitol security removed a protester after she interrupted the ongoing Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing.
"If you approve this budget, you will be complicit in the war crimes of this administration,” the protester shouted, adding that the Iranian-American community is opposed to the war.
Senator slams Trump and Hegseth: 'We have a distracted administration'
15:54 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Senator Chris Coons called the Trump administration “distracted” during his opening remarks at the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing.
“I am concerned that we have a distracted administration and a distracted department,” Coons said.
“From your written testimony, Mr. Secretary, it seems at times you're more passionate about fighting culture wars than winning the real war that we're in, at banning books, at cleaning alleged DEI off of websites, at taking on an anti-vaccine position rather than continuing the long-standing public health policies, at interfering with promotions,” he added.
Coons also claimed that Trump appears to be “more focused on a billion-dollar ballroom and a victory arch, rather than achieving actual victory.”
Senate hearing begins
15:37 , Katie HawkinsonDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are now testifying before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense.
The hearing kicked off just moments ago with remarks from Senator Mitch McConnell, the committee’s chairman.
House Democrats mark ‘news phase’ of Epstein probe with Palm Beach hearing
15:10 , Alex WoodwardDemocrats on the House Oversight Committee are holding a field hearing in Palm Beach County, where members will hear from survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse and witnesses in the panel’s ongoing investigation into the dead sex offender and his alleged ties to a wider network of powerful abusers.
The hearing marks a “new phase of our Epstein investigation,” said top Democrat Robert Garcia.
The hearing in Palm Beach is just “miles away” from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago compound “and key locations where this Epstein investigation has taken us,” Garcia said.
“Florida has been a key place where so many of the horrors and crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell happened,” he said.
House Appropriations subcommittee hearing adjourns
15:05 , Katie HawkinsonThe House Appropriations subcommittee on defense hearing has ended.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine are now expected to testify before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on defense.
Lawmaker calls efforts to get answer on Iran war cost 'excruciating' and 'long'
14:46 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Representative Joseph Morelle said it has been “excruciating” to try and get an answer regarding the cost of the Iran war.
“By my count, 11 weeks, 74 days since hostilities began in Iran, and trying to get a reporting of the dollars that have been spent in this has been excruciating. It’s been long,” Morelle said.
“I think General [George] Washington reported quicker to the Continental Congress than this has been,” he added.
Iran war cost reaches $29 billion
14:20 , Katie HawkinsonJules Hurst, the Pentagon’s acting comptroller, told lawmakers the Iran war has cost the U.S. $29 billion so far.
Late last month, the Pentagon said the total cost was an estimated $25 billion.
Hurst attributed the increase to “updated repair and replacement of equipment costs,” along with “general operational costs.”
Hegseth pressed on US-Iran ceasefire
14:16 , Katie HawkinsonDemocratic Representative Pete Aguilar pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, asking how officials know whether or not it’s active.
“As you know, for the most part, a ceasefire means the fire is ceasing, and we know that has occurred while negotiations occur. And there are lots of different discussions with our negotiating team that are happening,” Hegseth said.
Aguilar then asked: “Is the theory to create more ceasefires or more projects just to evade the War Powers Act?”
“The theory of the entire case is to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. And if that has to be done kinetically and militarily, the Department of War is locked and loaded and ready to do that,” Hegseth replied.
In pictures: Hegseth and Caine testify
14:10 , Katie Hawkinson
Hegseth keeps it calm during opening statement
13:48 , Andrew FeinbergHegseth's opening statement thus far is devoid of the bluster and partisanship that characterized his testimony before the House and Senate Armed Services committees.
That's likely because he's been advised that the appropriations subcommittees he is appearing in front of today are responsible for cutting the check that funds his department. He's not going to walk into their house and bite the hand that feeds him.
Hegseth's testimony comes after a combative exchange with lawmakers
13:48 , Ariana BaioDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony to Congress Tuesday morning comes less than a month after he got into a tense exchange with lawmakers who questioned the validity of the Iran war.
Catch up with Hegseth’s most recent testimony:
Pete Hegseth lost his cool in front of Congress. It was a dramatic unraveling
Welcome to The Independent's live blog
13:42 , Ariana BaioGood morning and welcome to The Independent’s live blog for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s testimony to Congress on the Trump administration’s budget request for $1.5 trillion.