Atlantic investigative journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick says she's received additional sources corroborating her reporting on FBI Director Kash Patel's alleged excessive drinking and paranoia, which Patel has denied and sued over for $250 million. Fitzpatrick stands by her original story based on more than two dozen sources who described his conduct as a national security vulnerability, and additional corroboration since publication has come from officials 'going up to the highest levels of the government.' Patel's lawsuit appears designed to pressure the outlet even though media law experts (per Vanity Fair) assess his defamation case as likely to fail — a pattern that has become routine under Trump's administration. What remains unclear is whether the additional sourcing Fitzpatrick describes will be made available to Patel's legal team or the court, or whether it remains protected by journalist privilege.