FBI Director Kash Patel said he would take an alcohol screening test after a tense exchange with Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen during a congressional hearing, provided the senator agreed to take the same test alongside him.

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The confrontation unfolded as Van Hollen questioned Patel about reports concerning his conduct, including allegations of excessive drinking. Patel has denied the claims and is pursuing legal action over a report that raised the issue.

Dispute Over Allegations

Van Hollen referenced reporting that suggested Patel’s alcohol use had affected his ability to carry out official duties.

“When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem,” the senator said during the hearing. He added that reports alleging episodes of heavy drinking and unexplained absences were “extremely alarming” if accurate.

Van Hollen said the allegations suggested a potential failure of responsibility and could undermine public trust in the leadership of the FBI.

The senator also asked Patel and other law enforcement officials present how they would respond if an employee appeared to have a problem with excessive alcohol use.

“I really don’t care about your personal life so long as you are able to perform your public responsibilities,” Van Hollen said. He cited multiple reports, including one published by The Atlantic, that described concerns raised by current and former officials in the FBI and the Department of Justice.

Patel Rejects Claims

Patel strongly rejected the allegations, calling the reporting “unequivocally, categorically false.” He has filed a defamation lawsuit related to the claims.

During the exchange, Patel countered with accusations of his own, alleging that Van Hollen drank margaritas while on an official trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who had been mistakenly deported and imprisoned there at the time.

“The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar… was you,” Patel said.

Van Hollen dismissed the accusation, saying it was untrue and based on misinformation circulating in some media outlets. He argued that repeating such claims in a congressional hearing was troubling.

“The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don’t know what you are talking about,” Van Hollen said.

Margarita Claim Disputed

Van Hollen has previously addressed the margarita allegation, saying it stemmed from a publicity stunt by El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele.

After returning from the trip in April last year, Van Hollen told reporters that a Salvadoran official placed drinks on the table during the meeting but that neither he nor Abrego Garcia drank them.

“Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us,” the senator said at the time, adding that the salt around the rim of the glasses remained undisturbed.

Van Hollen said the display appeared designed to create the impression that alcohol had been consumed.

Challenge to Take Alcohol Test

The hearing concluded with a direct challenge from Van Hollen, who asked Patel whether he would take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-question screening survey that had been proposed by House Judiciary Committee Democrats.

Patel agreed on the condition that Van Hollen also take the test.

“Let’s go,” Patel said. “Side by side.”

Van Hollen accepted the proposal.

Throughout the exchange, Van Hollen repeatedly asked Patel whether he understood that lying to Congress was a crime. Patel responded each time that he had not committed perjury during the hearing.

The confrontation highlighted rising tensions between the FBI director and some Democratic lawmakers over allegations about his conduct and leadership.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now. Source 13 May 2026

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He'll ace it, completely smash it! I wouldn't be surprised if it doesnt come back 100%!

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Challenge to Take Alcohol Test

The hearing concluded with a direct challenge from Van Hollen, who asked Patel whether he would take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), a 10-question screening survey that had been proposed by House Judiciary Committee Democrats.

Just had a look at that test. How can a questionnaire determine if you're an alcoholic, if you can answer whatever you want on the questions?

What are the odds that Patel will answer almost daily on any of those questions?

https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/files/AUDIT.pdf

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

Just had a look at that test. How can a questionnaire determine if you're an alcoholic, if you can answer whatever you want on the questions?

What are the odds that Patel will answer almost daily on any of those questions?

https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/files/AUDIT.pdf

The test is not designed to prove people are alcoholics, it is designed to convince them they are.

If you find yourself lying on a test to determine whether or not you are an alcoholic, well, you're an alcoholic. Anytime you find yourself wondering if you are an alcoholic, you can quit wondering.

The left has to attack Kash personally and attempt to destroy him, because he is doing a great job.

desperate, feckless moronic libtards thinking they are somehow smarter than Patel.

Meanwhile.....

Low IQ democrat loser Van Hollen, such a doofus, and even bigger embarrassment.

24 minutes ago, boganJoe said:

Low IQ democrat loser Van Hollen, such a doofus, and even bigger embarrassment.

I don't know but condemning a Senator as a low IQ loser and a "doofus" because you don't agree with him could be considered by some as of itself an indicator of a less than stellar IQ.

On 5/13/2026 at 8:16 AM, CallumWK said:

Just had a look at that test. How can a questionnaire determine if you're an alcoholic, if you can answer whatever you want on the questions?

What are the odds that Patel will answer almost daily on any of those questions?

https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/files/AUDIT.pdf

How about blowing a breathalyzer after lunch and after quitting time each day? Everyone else would do it.

3 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

How about blowing a breathalyzer after lunch and after quitting time each day? Everyone else would do it.

There is no Breathalyzer mentioned in the suggested AUDIT test, it is a questionaire.

Follow up

Van Hollen posts alcohol use test results after challenging Patel to take survey

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5876187-patel-van-hollen-alcohol-test/

2 hours ago, JAG said:

I don't know but condemning a Senator as a low IQ loser and a "doofus" because you don't agree with him could be considered by some as of itself an indicator of a less than stellar IQ.

Your favorite senator having drinks with your favorite wife-beating, human-trafficking, gang-banging criminal illegal alien in El Salvador all on the public dime.

2 hours ago, cjinchiangrai said:

How about blowing a breathalyzer after lunch and after quitting time each day? Everyone else would do it.

How about every federal, state, and local government employee being testes twice a day, and a blood test twice a month?

I'm with you 100%

4 hours ago, boganJoe said:

Low IQ democrat loser Van Hollen, such a doofus, and even bigger embarrassment.

Why were the margaritas untouched? 😂

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/may/12/donald-trump-china-iran-redistricting-jeffrey-epstein-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6a038ac68f0883077987078a#block-6a038ac68f0883077987078a

49 minutes ago, candide said:

Why were the margaritas untouched? 😂

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2026/may/12/donald-trump-china-iran-redistricting-jeffrey-epstein-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6a038ac68f0883077987078a#block-6a038ac68f0883077987078a

How do we know they were not touched, and what difference does it make in any event? Van Hollen flies to El Salvador for a photo-op with an illegal alien on the public dime. A wife-beating, human-trafficking, gang-banging criminal illegal alien he was exploiting for his own political gain.

If I was on the job, and someone brought drinks, I would tell them to take them away, not post for the cameras, but then I'm not a high IQ leftist.

The left hates Patel because he is effective, so they have to attack him personally. The facts mean nothing.

56 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

How do we know they were not touched, and what difference does it make in any event? Van Hollen flies to El Salvador for a photo-op with an illegal alien on the public dime. A wife-beating, human-trafficking, gang-banging criminal illegal alien he was exploiting for his own political gain.

If I was on the job, and someone brought drinks, I would tell them to take them away, not post for the cameras, but then I'm not a high IQ leftist.

The left hates Patel because he is effective, so they have to attack him personally. The facts mean nothing.

This full on muppet retard democrat senator should know better than to think he has a chance at scoring a "gotcha" with Patel who is ions more switched on than this brain dead moron Van Hollen will ever be.

Listen to this pathetic whimpy outclassed democrat moron mumble like the retard his is: "Mr. Director....c'mon...".

Worse than Biden ....lol, but not much. Too funny, question is why are democrats so damn stupid and pathetic!

7 minutes ago, boganJoe said:

This full on muppet retard democrat senator should know better than to think he has a chance at scoring a "gotcha" with Patel who is ions more switched on than this brain dead moron Van Hollen will ever be.

Listen to this pathetic whimpy outclassed democrat moron mumble like the retard his is: "Mr. Director....c'mon...".

Worse than Biden ....lol, but not much. Too funny, question is why are democrats so damn stupid and pathetic!

Have you not realized by now there is no difference between democrats and republicans its all one big Muppet show, America is one big laughing show on the world stage

On 5/13/2026 at 8:25 AM, Yellowtail said:

The test is not designed to prove people are alcoholics, it is designed to convince them they are.

If you find yourself lying on a test to determine whether or not you are an alcoholic, well, you're an alcoholic. Anytime you find yourself wondering if you are an alcoholic, you can quit wondering.

The left has to attack Kash personally and attempt to destroy him, because he is doing a great job.

The people who Patel has prosecuted have probably told less lies than him.

Being a non American the word leftist gets to me. If Donald Trump or one of his cronies claimed the World is flat and that was called out by a Republican voter then that person would be labelled a leftist.

4 minutes ago, Rams86 said:

The people who Patel has prosecuted have probably told less lies than him.

Why do you say that? Oh yeah, liars always think everyone lies like they do.

And it would be fewer lies, not less lies.

1 hour ago, Yellowtail said:

How do we know they were not touched, and what difference does it make in any event? Van Hollen flies to El Salvador for a photo-op with an illegal alien on the public dime. A wife-beating, human-trafficking, gang-banging criminal illegal alien he was exploiting for his own political gain.

If I was on the job, and someone brought drinks, I would tell them to take them away, not post for the cameras, but then I'm not a high IQ leftist.

The left hates Patel because he is effective, so they have to attack him personally. The facts mean nothing.

Lame deflection. The topic is about Van Hollen and Patel accusing each other of being alcoholic. Not about the people they met! 😁

Is this event suggesting that Van Hollen is alcoholic?

Being of Indian origin I'm sure Kash never once put his hand in his sky rocket to pay for his booze.

25 minutes ago, candide said:

Lame deflection. The topic is about Van Hollen and Patel accusing each other of being alcoholic. Not about the people they met! 😁

Is this event suggesting that Van Hollen is alcoholic?

Yes, Van Hollen billed thousands of dollars of daytime drinking in DC to his office. Have you not been following along?

12 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Yes, Van Hollen billed thousands of dollars of daytime drinking in DC to his office. Have you not been following along?

Another Patel's lie! 😂

Do you really believe what he says?

8 minutes ago, candide said:

Another Patel's lie! 😂

Do you really believe what he says?

I noticed Van Hollen did not call him a liar.

Why would I not believe him? He's brown, so you think he's a liar?

The left hates Patel because he's doing a great job, so they have to make something up. He dad a beer at a hockey game, that makes him an alcoholic.

Same with Hegseth

1 minute ago, Yellowtail said:

I noticed Van Hollen did not call him a liar.

Why would I not believe him? He's brown, so you think he's a liar?

The left hates Patel because he's doing a great job, so they have to make something up. He dad a beer at a hockey game, that makes him an alcoholic.

Same with Hegseth

So you are not claiming Patel told the truth? 😂

2 minutes ago, candide said:

So you are not claiming Patel told the truth? 😂

How would I know if he told the truth? I'll believe him until I have a reason not to.

You're the one that called him a liar.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

5 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

How about every federal, state, and local government employee being testes twice a day, and a blood test twice a month?

I'm with you 100%

Don't forget tests for anyone on public assistance

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

How would I know if he told the truth? I'll believe him until I have a reason not to.

You're the one that called him a liar.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

2 hours ago, Yellowtail said:

Yes, Van Hollen billed thousands of dollars of daytime drinking in DC to his office. Have you not been following along?

You're the one who wrote:

"Yes, Van Hollen billed thousands of dollars of daytime drinking in DC to his office." 🤣

10 minutes ago, candide said:

You're the one who wrote:

"Yes, Van Hollen billed thousands of dollars of daytime drinking in DC to his office." 🤣

And?

How about asking Pelosi, an actual alcoholic who has not appeared sober in public for decades?

I was wondering how Kash was delivering on his promises. These Deep State hit jobs confirm he is doing well. Good to hear.