Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it. Your support makes all the difference. Read more Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic investigative journalist behind last week’s bombshell story about FBI Director Kash Patel, has said she has since been “inundated” with messages from new sources corroborating her reporting. Fitzpatrick’s story alleged that Patel drinks to excess – so much so that, in one instance, breaching equipment was ordered to break into a locked bedroom when he did not respond to inquiries about his well-being. The profile also characterized him as deeply paranoid about being fired by President Donald Trump. Patel has denied the allegations, dismissed the article as a “hit piece,” and, on Monday, launched a $250 million defamation lawsuit against the magazine. “I can say unequivocally that I never listen to the fake news mafia,” he said at a Department of Justice press conference Tuesday. “And when they get louder, it just means I’m doing my job.” Speaking to the Radio Atlantic podcast one week after the article was , Fitzpatrick was asked about Patel’s retaliatory moves and said she was undaunted. The reporter behind The Atlantic article that made several accusations about FBI Director Kash Patel’s behavior said she has received new messages backing up the claims (Reuters) “My response is that I stand by every single word of this report,” she said. “We were very diligent. We were very careful. It went through multiple levels of editing, review, care.” “And I think one of the things that has been most gratifying after – immediately after the story was I have been inundated by additional sourcing going up to the highest levels of government thanking us for doing this work and providing additional corroborating information.” Fitzpatrick said that she used more than two dozen sources for her original report, characterizing those officials as “people who felt that not only was this conduct embarrassing and unbecoming but that it posed a national security vulnerability and made Americans perhaps less safe as a result.” When asked about some shocking details in her report she replied: “I had never heard anything like this as a reporter and I think I spent a very long time checking it out because it was so explosive.” “And I think what makes this known throughout FBI and Justice Department-and even reaching into White House-is just how alarming it is. People were really frightened.” She mentioned some sources weren’t just panicking but were quite emotional in expressing their concerns-describing them as “grown men who have done nothing but counterintelligence and solving some of worst crimes who are not easily scared or intimidated.” “They were frightened,” she stated. “And that really stuck with me.”
Sarah Fitzpatrick of The Atlantic wrote the profile. Patel filed a $250 million lawsuit over claims included (MS NOW)
Fitzpatrick noted that because America is currently at war with Iran; it puts country in an especially “uniquely vulnerable” position-this reason prompted her push forward with what she called an “open secret” regarding Patel.
She described FBI director as “extremely vindictive,” but maintained she wasn’t worried about his legal actions due to strength of her reporting.
If asking what’s next-Fitzpatrick remarked: “People are just waiting for moment when he will be fired-and unfortunately creates chaos along instability.”
“There are key life-or-death decisions needing attention.. Everyone wants clarity on their leader but unfortunately that’s lacking.”
“Patel reacted angrily towards The Atlantic’s coverage,” appearing on Fox News host Maria Bartiromo’s show Sunday Morning Futures saying: ‘We’re not going take this lying down! You want attack my character? Come at me! Bring it on! I’ll see you court!'”
“In his lawsuit following day later attorneys wrote: ‘Defendants are free criticize leadership FBI-but they crossed line publishing article full false obviously fabricated allegations aimed destroy Director Patel’s reputation drive him office.'”
The suit seeks “compensatory special punitive damages no less than $250 million well disgorgement all income defendants earned virtue lies Director Patel.”Source link
