Press win — Freedom of the Press Foundation: FBI’s Atlantic probe shows ‘complete disregard’ for First Amendment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: New York, May 6, 2026 — The FBI has reportedly opened a criminal leak investigation into Atlantic magazine journalist Sarah Fitzpatrick’s reporting on Director Kash Patel’s alleged unexplained absences and drinking habits at the bureau. The following can be attributed to Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) Chief of Advocacy Seth Stern: “The FBI’s probe would be outrageous even if The Atlantic reported classified information, which it didn’t. The FBI is reportedly conducting an invasive leak investigation merely to settle a personal vendetta. Separately, it doesn’t make much sense for Patel’s FBI to investigate leaks from what Patel’s lawsuit over the same reporting called ‘sham sources.’ Fake sources can’t leak. “This is the second time in recent weeks we’ve learn…