FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250m (£185m) defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, accusing the magazine of publishing false and damaging claims about his conduct in office.
Patel alleges that the magazine published harmful claims, including accusations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences from duty.
The article, citing sources, also alleged that Patel's conduct created a risk to public safety and national security.
The Atlantic has defended its reporting. To win a defamation suit in the US, public officials must demonstrate that a publisher acted with actual malice.
"We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit," the magazine said in a statement.
