Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe FBI initiated an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson for alleged stalking after she published an article detailing FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged use of bureau personnel to provide his girlfriend with a security detail. The New York Times and its executive editor, Joseph Kahn, criticized the FBI's investigation as a "blatant violation of Elizabeth’s First Amendment rights" and a retaliatory attempt to impede journalistic scrutiny. Williamson's article highlighted accusations that Patel used a federal SWAT team for his girlfriend, Alexis Wilkins, and other instances of misusing federal resources, such as an FBI plane for personal trips. Patel has faced extensive criticism, including a report by active and retired FBI agents deeming him "in over his head" and a recent The Atlantic article alleging excessive drinking and unexplained absences. Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and its journalist Sara Fitzpatrick, vehemently denying all accusations and vowing to challenge them in court. In fullFBI looked into New York Times reporter who investigated Kash Patel’s use of resources to help his girlfriend: reportThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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Patel alleges that the magazine published false and harmful claims about his conduct, including accusations of excessive drinking and unexplained absences from duty.

The FBI director has been mired in scandal following bombshell reporting in The Atlantic. In a lawsuit filed on Monday, Patel denied the story's claims.

Kash Patel got into a heated exchange with a reporter who pressed the FBI director on details in his $250m libel lawsuit. A report in The Atlantic characterized Patel as a deeply…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleThe FBI initiated an investigation into New…

Inquiry began in March after report on security arrangements involving FBI director’s girlfriend, NYT says

The New York Times says one of its journalists was investigated by the FBI after she wrote an unflattering piece about Patel’s girlfriend.

The writer said she believes "there is a real fear at every level" of speaking out against the FBI director.