FBI Director Joins Team USA Hockey Celebration After Gold Medal Win

Kash Patel celebrated with the team in the locker room after their victory over Canada.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 5:33pm

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FBI Director Kash Patel joined the Team USA hockey team in their locker room celebration after the team won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Patel, a hockey fan, was in Italy for previously scheduled meetings and was invited by the team to celebrate their historic victory over Canada.

Why it matters

Patel's presence in the locker room celebration has drawn some scrutiny, with questions raised about whether it was appropriate for the FBI director to participate in the team's private celebration. However, the White House has defended Patel's actions, stating that he was also meeting with security teams during his trip to Italy.

The details

The US men's hockey team beat Canada 2-1 in the gold medal match, marking their first Olympic hockey gold since the "Miracle on Ice" game in 1980. A video obtained by ABC News shows Patel wearing a USA shirt in the locker room, where he's seen singing along with members of the team and even being awarded a gold medal.

  • The gold medal match took place on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
  • Patel posted a statement on social media about the celebration on the evening of February 22, 2026.

The players

Kash Patel

The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), who was in Italy for previously scheduled meetings and was invited to join the Team USA hockey team's locker room celebration after their gold medal win.

Team USA Hockey

The United States men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, defeating Canada 2-1 in the final.

Ben Williamson

An FBI spokesperson who stated that Patel's trip to Italy had been previously scheduled and that any personal expenses would be reimbursed.

Steven Cheung

The White House's communications director, who publicly defended Patel's presence in the locker room celebration.

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What they’re saying

“[Y]es, 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

“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

“don't be mad because America won.”

— Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director

What’s next

The White House and FBI have both defended Patel's presence in the locker room celebration, stating that his trip to Italy was previously scheduled and that any personal expenses would be reimbursed. It remains to be seen if there will be any further scrutiny or investigation into Patel's actions.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the close relationship between government officials and elite sports teams, as well as the potential for controversy when those lines are blurred. While Patel's presence in the locker room celebration may have been well-intentioned, it has raised questions about the appropriate boundaries between public officials and private sporting events.