Sen. Chris Van Hollen didn't just dare FBI Director Kash Patel to take an alcohol screening test—he went first and posted his own results. The Maryland Democrat on Wednesday shared his score on the widely used Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test after Patel told him during a tense Senate subcommittee hearing that he'd take it "side by side" with the senator. In his responses to the 10-question AUDIT survey, Van Hollen said he drinks two to three times a week, typically having one or two drinks. He answered "never" to questions about problematic behavior, including questions about being unable to stop drinking or feeling guilty after drinking.
- Yesterday, Patel "told me he'd take the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test if I did. Well, here's mine," Van Hollen said on X. "Given all the lies he told yesterday, I imagine he'll fudge the numbers here, but let's see yours, Director Patel."
Democrats urged Patel to complete the test following a report in the Atlantic alleging a pattern of "excessive drinking and unexplained absences," accusations Patel has labeled "unequivocally, categorically false." During Tuesday's hearing, Van Hollen cited the article and warned that private conduct that interferes with official duties is a "betrayal of public trust," referencing claims staff once had to force entry into Patel's home due to him being "so drunk and hungover."
Patel fired back by accusing Van Hollen of spending more than $7,000 on a bar tab. After the FBI director posted a Federal Election Commission filing Tuesday night showing the expense at Washington, DC's Lobby Bar, Van Hollen replied: "You got me, I catered a holiday reception for my staff with campaign—not taxpayer—dollars! Now let's see your receipts."
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