FBI Director Kash Patel sparred with the Senate Appropriations Committee’s top Democrat over the director’s alleged questionable behavior when Patel appeared before the panel for a budget hearing on Tuesday.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, the ranking member of the committee, addressed reports of Patel’s alleged misuse of FBI resources and a story in The Atlantic that alleged he has had “bouts of excessive drinking” and job performance issues.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
“What we are learning about what’s happening at the FBI is anything but normal,” Van Hollen said. “Director Patel, as you ask for more taxpayer resources, we cannot look away from the credible, extremely troubling reports about your misconduct at the FBI.”
Patel said last month that he’s “never been intoxicated on the job,” following the report. Patel sued The Atlantic over the article, demanding $250 million in damages.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen questions FBI Director Kash Patel during a Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2026.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
Van Hollen later grilled Patel on the report asking Patel if, per The Atlantic report, he had “episodes of excessive drinking.”
Patel shot back, calling the report a “total farce.”
In a heated exchange, Patel then claimed without evidence that Van Hollen was “slinging margaritas” just over a year ago with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the migrant who the government said in court was erroneously deported to El Salvador.
The moment is a reference to when Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia, who had been deported against a judge’s orders to the notorious CECOT prison. At the time, the senator said at one point during the meeting monitored by the El Salvador government, El Salvador officials put glasses on the table where they were meeting that appeared to have liquid inside with salt or sugar rims on top.
Van Hollen insisted that neither he nor Abrego Garcia touched those glasses and said it was clear they didn’t based on photos of the meeting taken by El Salvadoran officials.
FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before a Senate Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 12, 2026.
Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Patel also faced questions about when he joined in on Team USA hockey’s locker room celebrations in Italy shortly after the team won the gold medal in February — a move that drew scrutiny about his use of FBI resources to attend.
Patel, a hockey fan, was said to have had meetings in Italy prior to attending the game, which he reiterated during Tuesday’s hearing, saying he was there to secure the extradition of a top cybercriminal from the China and to help with Olympic security.
Ben Williamson, an FBI spokesperson, said on social media in February that Patel’s trip had been previously scheduled. He added that “any other personal expenses would be reimbursed.”
Patel was asked about election probes in Michigan and Arizona as well as the seizure of 2020 ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, earlier this year — an action the FBI said was court-authorized activity. The investigations came after President Donald Trump has repeatedly said there was voter fraud in the 2020 election that contributed to his election loss.
The cases in Georgia, Arizona and Michigan were litigated and there was no fraud in the 2020 election.
“As to the execution of legal search processes, we went to federal and state magistrates and, like we do in any case, and received ruling of probable cause to advance any investigations we’re working on,” Patel said. “As to the overall security of the election, that is of primary importance with us.”
In his opening statement, Patel lauded the men and women of the FBI, listing off a litany of accomplishments including a quick response by FBI agents during a shooting at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner last month.
Patel is appearing alongside other Department of Justice agency heads regarding the agencies’ 2027 budget requests. Patel is joined by Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole, United States Marshals Service Director Glady Serralta and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Director Robert Cekada.
When Patel last testified on Capitol Hill in September 2025, he faced questions from Democrats about the assassination of conservative activist and influencer Charlie Kirk and his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.
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