The FBI is reportedly investigating an Atlantic journalist who wrote a "deeply unflattering" report on Director Kash Patel's drinking habits.
Two sources familiar with the investigation confirmed to MS NOW that the "highly unusual" investigation was looking into the leaking of material that embarrassed Patel for alleged drinking and absences from work. Agents investigating journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick were reportedly based in Huntsville, Alabama.
"Typically, leak investigations look into government officials who may have disclosed state secrets or classified documents," MS NOW noted. "Journalists who receive and publish such information have typically only been involved as potential witnesses."
Some of the sources expressed "great concern" about how investigators were going to look into the journalist, which could include confiscating her cell phone.
"They know they are not supposed to do this," one source explained. "But if they don't go forward, they could lose their jobs. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't."
For its part, the FBI denied investigating Fitzpatrick.
"This is completely false. No such investigation like this exists, and the reporter you mention is not being investigated at all," spokesperson Ben Williamson insisted to MS NOW. "Every time there's a publication of false claims by anonymous sources that gets called out, the media plays the victim via investigations that do not exist."
The Atlantic's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, called the alleged investigation "outrageous."
"We will defend Sarah and all of our reporters who are subjected to government harassment simply for pursuing the truth," he vowed.
Patel has sued The Atlantic for defamation.