Kash Patel's FBI

Radio Atlantic

The Atlantic

Politics, Society & Culture, News

4.3 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2026

⏱️ 34 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Last week, The Atlantic published a story about how FBI Director Kash Patel’s colleagues are alarmed by what they describe as erratic behavior and excessive drinking. Sources told staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick that, on multiple occasions, members of his security detail had trouble waking Patel because he was seemingly intoxicated. Patel called the story a “lie” and earlier this week sued The Atlantic for defamation. Fitzpatrick joins Radio Atlantic to talk about her reporting inside the FBI, and how sources she spoke with are concerned about the agency keeping Americans safe during a time of heightened threats. And we talk to our staff writer Quinta Jurecic about the state of Trump’s Justice Department after Pam Bondi’s firing. - - -Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Atlantic subscribers also get access to exclusive subscriber audio in Apple Podcasts. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/Listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	The Atlantic has debuted a first of its kind collaboration with the Seaborne Cruise Line to bring great minds on board their luxury ships.
0:07.6	Join us for a 12-day voyage with the Atlantic.
0:10.6	Discover this sailing from Montreal to Boston and more at seaborne.com.
0:15.2	Ready to launch your business? Get started with the commerce platform made for entrepreneurs.
0:20.1	Shopify is specially designed to help you start, run and grow your business
0:24.2	with easy customizable themes that let you build your brand,
0:27.8	marketing tools that get your products out there.
0:30.0	Integrated shipping solutions that actually save you time.
0:32.8	From startups to scale ups, online, in person and on the go.
0:37.3	Shopify is made for entrepreneurs like you.
0:39.8	Sign up for your $1 a month trial at Shopify.com slash setup.
0:52.8	Last week, Atlantic staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick wrote about FBI director Cash Patel.
1:01.6	She talked to more than two dozen sources, including colleagues of his who are alarmed by what they say is erratic behavior and excessive drinking.
1:11.7	It was people who felt that not only was this conduct embarrassing,
1:16.8	but that it was a national security vulnerability
1:19.9	and that Americans were perhaps less safe as a result.
1:23.9	Sarah's story opens with a stark illustration of his paranoia,
1:32.1	a freak out, according to multiple sources that happened on April 10th.
1:40.7	It's a Friday, late on a Friday, and he attempts to log into a FBI internal system, and he's unable to do so.
1:52.5	And almost immediately, without waiting for verification, he begins calling allies, staff, and saying, I've been fired.
1:56.5	And it set off this panic in Washington.
1:59.0	Now granted, because it was people within the FBI were calling the White House asking,
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The Atlantic, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The Atlantic and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.