‘I Love America’: FBI Director Kash Patel Fires Back After USA Hockey Team Celebration Backlash

Last Updated:February 23, 2026, 08:18 IST

FBI Director Kash Patel is criticized for celebrating with Team USA hockey in Italy amid scrutiny over resource misuse; he denies wrongdoing.

FBI Director Kash Patel is facing renewed criticism after a widely shared video showed him celebrating, chugging beer, and partying with gold medal-winning members of Team USA hockey at the Winter Olympics in Italy. The footage sparked backlash online, with critics questioning whether Patel used official FBI resources for personal travel.

After coming under fire, Patel on Monday defended himself, saying that his “friends", referring to the members of the USA hockey team, invited him to the locker room to celebrate the victory.

“For the very concerned media – yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth," the FBI chief wrote on X.

FBI Chief Under Fire Over Appearance At Winter Olympics

The FBI Director had already been under scrutiny over previous allegations that he used federal government resources for “extravagant" trips with his girlfriend. Last year, Patel was accused of using a government Gulfstream jet for personal travel to visit his girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, according to a report in news outlet Independent.

On Sunday, Patel had posted photos of himself smiling alongside members of the men’s hockey team, just hours after an FBI spokesperson strongly denied suggestions that he had used government resources for a personal excursion. Additional footage circulated on social media, including a clip from team member Dylan Larkin’s Instagram Live, appearing to show Patel celebrating in the locker room as a player placed a gold medal around his neck.

Over the weekend, Patel had shared updates from Italy highlighting meetings with various officials, including Italian ministers. In one post, he announced a new security agreement aimed at enhancing international cybersecurity cooperation.

Shortly before the locker room celebration footage surfaced, Patel posted that the FBI was deploying “all necessary resources" to Mar-a-Lago, where Secret Service agents fatally shot a 21-year-old man accused of attempting to break into President Donald Trump’s residence.

An FBI spokesperson issued a sharply worded response on Saturday when asked by MS NOW reporter Ken Dilanian whether Patel’s trip included a personal visit to the Olympics.

“Your rag outlet wrote that he went to hang out at the Olympics on the taxpayer dime — even when provided information that your theory was false," wrote FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson.

Patel was seen in the stands watching the games and later posted additional photos showing himself wearing a Team USA jersey and celebrating with champagne-soaked players and their coach.

“Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world. These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created," Patel tweeted.

The controversy adds to ongoing scrutiny over Patel’s travel and use of government resources, even as his office continues to deny any misuse of taxpayer funds.

News world ‘I Love America’: FBI Director Kash Patel Fires Back After USA Hockey Team Celebration Backlash

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