FBI director denies misconduct allegations, defends record and says he is suing for defamation

FBI Director Neal responded to questions about reporting on his conduct by denying the allegations and defending his record. "I've never been intoxicated on the job," Neal said, adding that he has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit over what he characterized as false reporting.

Neal outlined what he described as enforcement successes under his tenure — including increases in certain arrests and recoveries — and disputed reporting that portrayed him as frequently absent or intoxicated. Press questions about a separate computer login issue prompted a terse exchange; Neal denied ever being locked out of systems and reprimanded a reporter for interrupting during his answers.

During the same press conference, DOJ officials emphasized they would not comment beyond the text of the indictment accusing the Southern Poverty Law Center of fraud. Neal said reporters' focus on his conduct was a distraction from the DOJ's announcement but defended his presence and performance in office.

Neal framed his legal response to the reporting as part of a broader effort to counter what he called false reporting, and he encouraged reporters to raise questions but not to conflate unrelated coverage with the DOJ's investigation into the nonprofit.