'Drunk and erratic' FBI chief Kash Patel likely next cabinet-level official to be fired: Report

A senior White House official has indicated that FBI Director Kash Patel could be the next high-ranking figure to leave the administration, as concerns mount over internal instability and a growing list of controversies.

In a post on X on Saturday, Dasha Burns, White House Bureau Chief for the American website Politico, cited a top White House official as saying that Patel’s exit might be imminent.

"It’s only a matter of time," said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, according to Burns.

The official cited multiple factors behind the potential move, emphasizing the accumulation of negative coverage.

"[The] number of negative stories centered on Patel is ‘not a good look for a Cabinet secretary,’ and [President Donald] Trump is fed up with the level of distraction."

The possibility of Patel’s removal comes amid broader unease within Republican ranks over a potential wholesale Cabinet shakeup under Trump.

Recent departures, including Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Navy Secretary John Phelan, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, have intensified concerns among GOP senators about the administration’s stability and the Senate’s ability to confirm replacements in time.

Patel, himself, is facing heightened scrutiny following allegations published by The Atlantic accusing him of drinking and erratic behavior. He has denied the claims and filed a defamation lawsuit.

Two Republican senators, speaking anonymously, suggested Patel’s position might already be precarious.

"He’s in a bad mood, so he’s letting a lot of them go," one of the four said about Trump. "He’s preparing to really let a lot of them go."

Several GOP lawmakers are urging the president to act quickly if further personnel changes are planned, warning that delays could complicate confirmations.

Sen. Thom Tillis highlighted the limited time available before the midterm elections. "The number of working days are very limited," Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said in an interview. "You just do the math. It’s a very compressed schedule."

Another Republican senator, also speaking anonymously, echoed the urgency. "As we get closer to the election … you never know what’s going to happen to the Senate."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that the chamber is already overwhelmed. "We’ve got a full plate, so confirming new people is going to take a while."

The Department of War, which has been responsible for dismissing Phelan, has also mowed down several other high-ranking officials, including Army Chief of Staff Randy George along with two other military officials.

The dismissals have been linked with the officials' opposition to the United States' confused performance concerning its unprovoked aggression against Iran, which has been denounced for lacking a clear exit strategy and proper cost-benefit considerations.

White House defends current Cabinet

Despite the speculation, the White House has publicly backed the president’s team.

Spokesperson Davis Ingle said, "The President has assembled a world-class cabinet who are tirelessly implementing the President’s agenda and achieving tremendous results for the American people."

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