FBI Director Kash Patel and Sen. Van Hollen Clash at Senate Hearing Over Misconduct Claims

FBI Director Kash Patel and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., clashed during a Senate hearing Tuesday. They traded personal accusations over allegations of misconduct and a past overseas trip.

The confrontation grew out of questions about Patel's leadership. Van Hollen cited allegations from a report in The Atlantic. Patel responded by accusing the senator of misconduct during a 2025 visit to El Salvador. Van Hollen denied the accusation.

At the Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Van Hollen pointed to claims of "erratic" behavior, "excessive drinking," and "unexplained absences." Patel has denied the allegations.

"When your private actions make it impossible for you to perform your public duties, we have a big problem. You cannot perform those public duties if you're incapacitated," Van Hollen said.

"And Director Patel, these reports about your conduct, including reports of your being so drunk and hungover that your staff had to force entry into your home are extremely alarming. If true, they demonstrate a gross dereliction of your duty and a betrayal of public trust," Van Hollen said.

Patel called the report "unequivocally, categorically false." He then turned to Van Hollen.

"The only person who was slinging margaritas in El Salvador on the taxpayer dollar with a convicted gang banging rapist was you," Patel said.

Public records do not establish that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a convicted gang member or convicted rapist.

"The fact that you mentioned that indicates you don't know what you are talking about," Van Hollen replied.

Patel later posted online, "Fact check @ChrisVanHollen," with images from the trip.

The dispute ties back to Van Hollen's 2025 visit to El Salvador. There, he met deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been sent to the country's high-security Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, over alleged MS-13 ties. His attorneys have denied any gang affiliation.

Images from the meeting show the two seated at a table with drinks. The photos resurfaced and drew criticism, including from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Van Hollen has called the images a "staged hoax" by the Salvadoran government and said no alcohol was consumed.

"Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the 'death camps' & 'torture,' now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!" Bukele wrote at the time.

Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic over the report. The Atlantic said it stands by its reporting.