If the FBI and its director Kash Patel thought they could intimidate The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick with lawsuits and federal investigations, they have been given a resounding wake-up call. The Atlantic is making itself clear. They are standing behind their reporter. They are standing behind their journalism. They won’t be backing down. Last month, Fitzpatrick wrote a bombshell story based on conversations with dozens of sources. Those sources described Patel as erratic, suspicious of others and prone to jumping to conclusions before he had the necessary evidence. The story included allegations of “excessive drinking” as well as “conspicuous inebriation and unexplained absences” while Patel has been in charge of the FBI. Patel responded defiantly on social media and TV, and then filed a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic, seeking $250 million in damages. Then on Wednesday, another major story in this saga dropped.…