Kash Patel faces drinking allegations

The controversy follows a series of accounts from Justice Department and FBI officials detailing instances where Patel was allegedly difficult to contact or intoxicated on the job.

Patel has vehemently denied the claims, filing a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic magazine.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for Patel's immediate resignation, citing a need for steady leadership during wartime.

The director maintains that he is a victim of a coordinated smear campaign by political enemies.