FBI Director Kash Patel has recruited Jesse R. Binnall, a lawyer known for his unsuccessful lawsuits aligned with MAGA, to assist him in his battle against The Atlantic's report alleging excessive drinking.
Binnall previously represented former North Carolina Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson in a defamation lawsuit against CNN, which did not succeed.
He also participated in President Donald Trump's attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
Binnall has warned The Atlantic, saying 'See you in court,' after the outlet released a report referencing sources close to Patel, claiming he was causing concern among officials due to his excessive alcohol consumption, unpredictable conduct, and unexplained absences.
Binnall has also disseminated a letter from Binnall Law Group requesting the outlet to refrain from publishing the exposé, emphasizing false and defamatory claims made by the outlet.
A prior case involving Binnall did not succeed, as Robinson withdrew his lawsuit against CNN in January 2025 and declared his retirement.
The Atlantic's report also referenced unnamed sources close to the FBI director Patel, who assert that he is concerned about his employment status, with one former official stating that he is 'rightly paranoid,' as officials have indicated that his purported excessive alcohol consumption is a matter of concern.
