Patel challenges Sen. Van Hollen to joint alcohol screening during hearing dispute

OAN Staff Jenna Lee
5:26 PM – Tuesday, May 12, 2026

During a combative Tuesday afternoon hearing before the Senate Appropriations Committee, FBI Director Kash Patel engaged in heated verbal altercations with Maryland Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen that resulted in Patel challenging the lawmaker to a joint alcohol screening.

The confrontation intensified when Van Hollen cited a recent report from The Atlantic alleging that Patel’s leadership has been damaged by alleged episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

In a defiant response, Patel dismissed the allegations as defamation and countered by daring Van Hollen to sit for a side-by-side alcohol assessment, asserting he would take any screening the senator was willing to take himself.

“Director Patel, I don’t care one bit about your private life. I don’t give a damn what you do on your own time and your own dime, unless and until it interferes with your public responsibilities. You cannot perform those public duties if you’re incapacitated,” Van Hollen responded.

“The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you,” Patel shot back at Van Hollen, referring to his trip to El Salvador in April 2025, when he met with illegal alien Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

During the same hearing, Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) also pressed Patel on the alleged weaponization of bureau resources, specifically questioning whether the agency had been utilized to investigate journalists responsible for critical reporting on his tenure.

Patel flatly denied the allegations, maintaining that no such retaliatory probes were underway, even as Murray expressed skepticism.

This exchange further fueled the session’s adversarial tone, as Murray joined Van Hollen in scrutinizing Patel’s conduct and the internal culture of the FBI under his leadership.

“We need serious leadership at the FBI that the American people can trust. And I am deeply concerned about the reports that your leadership has not been serious. We need somebody at this agency who’s focused on solving criminal cases, not passing out branded bourbon, or jetting around the globe. Your job is to be reachable,” said Murray.

 

“And I know Sen. Van Hollen asked you about this, but I have got to say, if you want to pass out liquor, or pop bottles in a locker room: stick to podcasting. Leave law and order to people who really do care about justice,” she added.

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