The Atlantic calls Patel lawsuit an ‘assault’ on Constitution in dismissal bid
The magazine says Patel’s suit targets news reporting on his job performance and notes he has filed five similar defamation cases.
- On Monday, The Atlantic filed a motion in District Court to dismiss FBI Director Kash Patel's $250 million defamation lawsuit while simultaneously requesting discovery from the FBI and Department of Justice, including documents and depositions of key officials.
- Patel sued The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick in April, alleging the outlet published "a sweeping, malicious, and defamatory hit piece" containing "obviously fabricated" claims about his job performance and seeking $250 million in damages.
- Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg called the suit "meritless," arguing it threatens First Amendment values by "punish the dissemination of material that is embarrassing to the powers-that be." The brief notes Patel has filed five defamation lawsuits against media organizations in recent years without prevailing.
- The brief argues these tactics send "an ominous message to the press: publishing reporting that he does not like comes at a high cost." The Atlantic simultaneously seeks to begin factual discovery from federal agencies regarding the magazine's reporting.
- This motion follows recent legal setbacks for Patel, including a dismissed libel case against blogger Jim Stewartson and a Texas court ruling that former FBI official Frank Figliuzzi's remarks were protected hyperbole.
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Kash Patel loses lawsuit against blogger who called him a 'googly-eyed' Kremlin asset
A federal judge has tossed a case brought by FBI Director Kash Patel against anti-disinformation blogger Jim Stewartson. According to a post on X by Stewartson, a Nevada federal judge granted his motion to dismiss the case. Patel sued Stewartson for libel in June 2023 over posts calling him a "Kremlin asset" who planned the January 6 riots. Stewartson said the judge wrote, "I do not have personal jurisdiction over Stewartson, so I grant his moti…
‘The Atlantic’ files scathing motion to toss Kash Patel’s ‘meritless’ lawsuit
The Atlantic has moved to get FBI Director Kash Patel‘s “meritless” lawsuit against the publication dismissed, and included some choice digs at the beleaguered director in their motion. Patel sued the publication for defamation over an April report by Sarah Fitzpatrick alleging he had “alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.” The Atlantic’s April report said colleagues were ‘alarmed’ by the director’s ‘ex…
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ussanews.comKash Patel’s courtroom battle takes a dramatic turn after blistering new filing
Seeking more than dismissal, The Atlantic responded to FBI Director Kash Patel’s nine-figure defamation suit with a prying demand. “If Director Patel did not want to face […]
Kash Patel's courtroom battle takes a dramatic turn after blistering new filing · American Wire News
Seeking more than dismissal, The Atlantic responded to FBI Director Kash Patel’s nine-figure defamation suit with a prying demand. “If Director Patel did not want to face this process, he should not have filed this suit.” Within days of the April publication of an article titled “The FBI Director Is MIA,” Patel filed a defamation suit seeking $250 million in damages over claims about his alleged “excessive drinking.” Monday, The Atlantic respond…
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