- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
FBI Director Kash Patel Celebrates with Team USA Hockey After Gold Medal Win
Patel joined the team in the locker room after their overtime victory over Canada.
Feb. 23, 2026 at 1:49am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
FBI Director Kash Patel traveled to Milan to watch and celebrate with the USA men's hockey team after they won the gold medal at the Olympics on February 22. Patel was seen drinking with the team and even had a gold medal placed around his neck in videos posted to social media. This comes shortly after Patel announced the FBI was investigating a fatal shooting at former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Why it matters
Patel's presence at the Olympics and celebration with the hockey team has drawn scrutiny, as the FBI Director is facing criticism for his handling of sensitive cases and reported use of government jets for personal travel. This latest incident adds to the ongoing questions about Patel's leadership and conduct.
The details
In photos and videos posted to social media, Patel was seen drinking with the USA hockey team and even had a gold medal placed around his neck as the players celebrated their overtime victory over Canada. Patel posted messages on social media praising the team's "unity, sacrifice, and attitude" and calling them "legends standing on the shoulders of giants." The FBI has stated that Patel's trip to Italy was not personal and included meetings with Italian law enforcement and security officials, as well as a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security.
- On February 22, the USA men's hockey team won the gold medal at the Olympics in Milan, Italy.
- Shortly after the game, Kash Patel was seen celebrating with the team in the locker room.
The players
Kash Patel
The current Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Jack Hughes
A player on the USA men's hockey team who scored the overtime goal to win the gold medal.
Mike Sullivan
The head coach of the USA men's hockey team.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Kash Patel, FBI Director
“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.”
— Kash Patel, FBI Director
What’s next
The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY regarding Patel's celebration with the hockey team.
The takeaway
Kash Patel's presence and celebration with the USA hockey team at the Olympics has raised further questions about the FBI Director's conduct and leadership, coming on the heels of criticism over his handling of sensitive cases and reported use of government jets for personal travel.
