FBI Director Kash Patel is defending his weekend locker-room celebration with the U.S. men’s hockey team after their gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics in Milan, saying his trip to Italy was for official business and that he would cover any personal expenses.
Videos circulating online showed Patel jumping and drinking beer with players after the team’s 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday, prompting criticism from some Democrats who questioned the appropriateness and cost of the trip.
Patel responded on social media, writing, "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."
An FBI spokesperson said Patel had traveled to Italy on official business that was planned months ago and would reimburse the government for any personal use of agency resources.
The bureau said Patel met with Italian law enforcement officials, the U.S. ambassador to Italy and U.S. personnel handling Olympic security, noting the FBI’s significant role in ensuring safety at the Games.
Public flight data showed Patel departed Joint Base Andrews near Washington last week aboard a government plane bound for a U.S. Air Force base in Italy.
FBI directors are prohibited from flying commercially for security reasons but must reimburse the government for personal travel at the cost of a commercial ticket.
The celebration came during a busy period for the Justice Department and the FBI, including an investigation into an armed man who attempted to enter President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and was fatally shot by Secret Service agents.
The State Department also issued a shelter-in-place warning for Americans in parts of Mexico following unrest tied to the killing of a drug cartel leader, while the FBI is assisting in the search for Nancy Guthrie, missing for more than three weeks.
Democratic Representative Jason Crow described the trip as “grift and corruption,” alleging taxpayer funds were used for what he characterized as a vacation.
Patel has previously faced scrutiny from congressional Democrats over reported use of FBI aircraft for travel to Scotland, Texas and Pennsylvania.