FBI Director Kash Patel has faced backlash following the release of a video showing him celebrating with the USA men’s hockey team after their win against Canada.
In a post on X, Patel expressed feeling “very humbled” when Team USA’s men’s hockey squad invited him “into the locker room” to celebrate their gold medal victory.
“To the concerned media: Yes, I love America and was humbled when my new friends from Team USA invited me to join their locker room celebration of this historic moment with our players,” Patel wrote. “It’s the greatest country on earth, and the greatest sport on earth.”
The posted video on social media displays Patel enjoying the moment with the team; he can be seen drinking what looks like a beer while waving it in the air. Additionally, there’s a moment where he’s tapping his hand on the table before him.
Another hockey team member was spotted placing a gold medal around Patel’s neck.
Several reactions emerged from Patel’s congratulatory video, shared by ProPublica reporter William Turton, who mentioned that a “source” sent him the photo.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan remarked, “Can you imagine the Republican or Fox reaction if this had happened during the Obama or Biden administrations?” He questioned, “What is he doing there? With tax money?”
On the show Fox News Channel The Five, co-host Jessica Tarloff humorously asked, “Where’s DOGE when you need it?”
Republican Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishbach commented, “They will literally do anything except arrest Epstein’s accomplices.” He vowed to appoint a special counsel to reopen the Epstein investigation.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate from Michigan, noted, “The FBI director is throwing a party for you.”
Democratic influencer Harry Sisson criticized, stating, “Kash Patel is partying in Italy with taxpayer money during the Olympics.”
Representative Sean Kasten (D-Ill.) pointed out, “Three million pages of evidence of a massive child sex trafficking ring. This is what the FBI director is doing now.”
Meghan McCain chimed in, questioning, “Does Kash Patel ever have a job?”
Reportedly, Team USA’s Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal with “1 minute and 41 seconds left in overtime,” resulting in a 2-1 victory over Canada. This win signifies the United States’ first gold medal “since the 1980 Lake Placid Games.”
