FBI Director Kash Patel Loses Defamation Suit Against Blogger

A Nevada federal judge dismissed the libel lawsuit filed by FBI Director Kash Patel against anti‑disinformation blogger Jim Stewartson. Patel had sued Stewartson in June 2023 over Substack posts that labeled him a “Kremlin asset” who allegedly planned the January 6 Capitol attack. The judge granted Stewartson’s motion to dismiss, stating the court lacked personal jurisdiction over the California‑based writer. Earlier, Patel had secured a $250,000 default judgment after Stewartson failed to respond, but that judgment was later set aside. The dismissal marks another setback for Patel, who has pursued multiple defamation actions against media figures.

Stewartson celebrated the ruling on X, mocking the judge’s footnote that referenced his “googly‑eyed Kremlin” comment. The case highlights ongoing legal battles over political speech and the limits of jurisdiction in defamation suits involving high‑profile government officials.