Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) called FBI Director Kash Patel “a disgrace” during Tuesday’s Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing about Patel’s alleged drinking habits.
Last month, the Atlantic published a bombshell story that detailed Patel’s excessive drinking. Following the report, Patel’s FBI launched an investigation into reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick responded by publishing another story last week detailing how Patel has reportedly been handing out personalized bottles of bourbon labeled “Ka$h Patel.” Patel has denied the reporting.
During the hearing, Van Hollen asked if Patel was aware that it’s a crime to lie to Congress after Patel falsely claimed Van Hollen was “slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang-banging rapist.”
Patel was referring to Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador last year to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to a notorious mega-prison in the country. The senator said drinks that appeared to be margaritas were placed on the table without his asking.
“My final question to you, Mr. Director, is do you know that it is a crime to lie to Congress?” Van Hollen asked. “You know that? That’s my last question.”
