FBI Director Kash Patel faces mounting criticism after videos surfaced showing him celebrating with the US men’s hockey team in their Milan locker room, drinking beer, and receiving a gold medal from players during what critics call a taxpayer-funded vacation.
Olympic Celebration Sparks Controversy
Following Team USA’s historic gold medal victory over Canada on February 22, Patel joined players in their locker room celebration, spraying beer and jumping with the team. Videos circulating online showed the FBI chief enthusiastically participating as one player placed his gold medal around Patel’s neck. The celebration marked America’s first Olympic hockey gold since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
Democratic Representative Jason Crow of Colorado denounced the trip on social media, stating the corruption was unreal and criticized taxpayer dollars funding what he called the FBI Director’s Italian vacation. Patel defended himself, posting that he was humbled when his friends on Team USA invited him to celebrate this historic moment with the team.
Pattern of Questionable Travel
The Milan trip represents the latest controversy surrounding Patel’s use of the FBI’s government Gulfstream G550 jet for personal purposes. In October, Patel traveled to Pennsylvania for a professional wrestling event where his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, performed the national anthem. Social media photos showed the couple posing together with championship wrestling belts.
The current situation creates particular scrutiny, given Patel’s previous criticism of former FBI Director Christopher Wray. During the Biden administration, Patel repeatedly attacked Wray for using the FBI plane for personal travel, suggesting the jet should be grounded and noting its fifteen thousand dollar cost per takeoff.
White House Backs Director
The White House defended Patel through communications director Steven Cheung, who emphasized that Patel met with regional partners and security teams during his visit to Italy. An FBI spokesman had initially described the trip as primarily professional, citing Patel’s meetings with European security officials. However, the locker room celebration shifted public focus from official business to what appeared to be personal enjoyment of Olympic festivities at government expense.
Dear Lord who cares as far as him travelling there did these people complaining now complain when Jill Biden went THREE times to last Olympics on taxpayer dine. Or Gretchen Whitmore going on tax payer dine?
I think Mr Patel was showing his support for the USA winning a Gold medal for the United States is awesome!! So many hater’s in the world. All the fiscal abuse the Democrats did in the last 4 years prior to President Trump winning this last election. The Democrats and the writers of negative stories show us the American people that the Democrats are the abusers and hater’s shame on you for commenting on Mr Patel being a proud American!!
The only people this bothers are the democrats. The Director is over 21 and legal to drink.(just in case they didn’t know!) Find something important to bitch about or be quiet!
And we heard no complaints about jill biden flying to France,then back to the US, then back to France for dinner the same night? hmmmmm………makes ZERO sense. and how about Sleepy Joe spending so much time in his basement, hiding, and so much time chillaxing on the beach……….And getting paid for it. WTF!
Did any Democrat object to Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D-MD) taxpayer-funded trip to El Salvadore to drink Margaritas with an accused wife beater and gang member?
Every time I feel the dems cannot go lower in their their hypocrisy and deeds, they manage to go lower. Way to go dems!
I sure hope nobody received a comp ticket to the super bowl and had a beer after the game.
what is wrong with someone celebrating with their friends. Demo do it every day and the press says nothing. This is why newspapers and magazines are having a hard time. They make mountains out of mole hills and are so bias. Stop all of this nonsense and get back to reporting crime, fraud, abuse and bias in all forms not your personal opinions. Too much bias and not enough truth where it counts
I am sure he is of age and has a legal picture ID… Whiny liberals reaching something that isn’t there!!