Milan, Italy. FBI Director Kash Patel defended his locker-room celebration with the U.S. men’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics, saying he was in Italy on official business and would pay his own way for personal activities. Democrats criticized the trip as wasteful.
Patel’s response to videos from the celebration
Patel wrote on social media that he was “extremely humbled” when the newly minted gold medal winners on Team USA invited him into the locker room after the team’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada on Sunday. Videos showed Patel jumping up and down and chugging a beer while the team celebrated.
Democratic criticism of the trip
Democrats described the visit as a diversion and raised concerns about taxpayer funding. Democratic U.S. Representative Jason Crow of Colorado wrote on social media: “The grift & corruption is unreal. Your taxpayer dollars funding the FBI Director’s Italian vacation.”
FBI statement and official activities
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said Patel was in Italy on official business and would reimburse the government for any personal use of FBI resources. Patel posted photos on his official account showing meetings with foreign officials and U.S. personnel handling security at the Olympics.
Previous allegations involving government travel
Patel has previously faced criticism for allegedly using an FBI jet for personal travel. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee said he misused government resources by using the FBI’s Gulfstream G550 to travel to Scotland for a golf vacation, fly to Pennsylvania to watch his girlfriend sing at a wrestling match, and fly to a hunting ranch in Texas.
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