FBI Director Joins U.S. Hockey Team's Gold Medal Celebration

Kash Patel's appearance at the locker room festivities raises questions about his use of government resources.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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FBI Director Kash Patel joined the U.S. men's hockey team in their locker room celebration after the team won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Milan. Patel, who was already in Italy for work-related meetings, was invited by the players to participate in their celebration, which included drinking beer and spraying it around the room. The episode has sparked renewed scrutiny over Patel's personal use of government resources, including his frequent travels on an FBI jet.

Why it matters

Patel's appearance at the hockey celebration deepens ongoing questions about his use of government resources for personal purposes, including his frequent travels on an FBI jet. This comes after Patel had previously criticized his predecessor, Chris Wray, for similar issues.

The details

Patel was in Italy for work-related meetings with European security officials, but his trip took a more celebratory turn when he joined the U.S. hockey team in their locker room after their gold medal win. Videos show Patel drinking beer, spraying it around, and even having a gold medal draped around his neck by one of the players. This episode follows previous scrutiny over Patel's use of an FBI jet for personal travel, including a trip to a pro wrestling event where his girlfriend performed.

  • Patel was in Italy during the final days of the Winter Olympics.
  • The U.S. men's hockey team won the gold medal on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Kash Patel

The current director of the FBI, who has faced scrutiny over his use of government resources for personal travel.

Chris Wray

Patel's predecessor as FBI director, who was also criticized for his use of the FBI jet for personal travel.

U.S. Men's Hockey Team

The American men's hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

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What they’re saying

“The grift & corruption is unreal. Your taxpayer dollars funding the FBI Director's Italian vacation.”

— Rep. Jason Crow, Democratic Representative from Colorado (X)

“Kash was also in Italy meeting with regional partners and security teams. Don't be mad because America won.”

— Steven Cheung, White House Communications Director (X)

“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.”

— Kash Patel (X)

What’s next

The FBI is continuing its investigation into the armed man who breached the secure perimeter of President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort while Patel was in Italy.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny over Patel's use of government resources and raises questions about the appropriate boundaries for senior government officials, even when invited to celebratory events by those they oversee.