White House ‘discussing’ FBI chief Patel’s future after bombshell report

Politics
19 Apr 2026 • 3:18 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

White House ‘discussing’ FBI chief Patel’s future after bombshell report

  • White House officials are reportedly discussing potential successors for FBI Director Kash Patel following a bombshell report by The Atlantic.
  • The report, authored by journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick, alleges that Patel exhibits excessive drinking and paranoid behaviour, causing alarm among agency officials.
  • Patel has vehemently denied the allegations, characterising the article as a “hit piece” and “fake news,” and has threatened legal action against The Atlantic and Fitzpatrick.
  • Fitzpatrick has affirmed her reporting, stating she stands “by every word” and that her publication has “excellent attorneys”.
  • Despite the allegations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised Patel's leadership, crediting him and President Trump for a significant drop in crime rates.

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