Embattled FBI Director Kash Patel ‘getting a pass’ for attending Olympic hockey final, source says
FBI Director Kash Patel is doing damage control after he caught criticism for using taxpayer funds to fly to Milan for the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey match, but at least one ally says he deserves a “pass” due to his love for the sport.
Patel celebrated with the team after its victory over Canada’s national Olympic team last week. Images of him sharing in the team’s success were shared online, with some critics questioning whether the FBI director might have more pressing concerns back home.
The FBI director’s defenders have noted that Patel is required by law to use an agency jet when he travels, that the FBI did reportedly have official business helping to secure the Olympic Games, and that he, like any other worker, is allowed to take time off and spend it how he likes.
But critics say the director is also supposed to be available for emergencies. On Sunday — the same day Patel was watching the hockey game — a man attempted to storm Mar-a-Lago with a shotgun and canisters full of gasoline. Federal agents shot and killed the man after he allegedly pointed the shotgun at them.
American tourists are still trapped in Mexico following the killing of drug cartel kingpin El Mencho and the ensuing chaos caused by his death.
“There was a threat at the president’s residence at MAL, Americans in Mexico are facing major threats by cartel members, Nancy Guthrie is still missing, and our FBI Director thinks he’s a frat bro?” Xochitl Hinojosa, former spokeswoman for Attorney General Merrick Garland, wrote on X.
Former FBI Special Agent Asha Rangappa told PBS Newshour that Patel’s public partying undermines a long-held mantra at the institution — “never embarrass the bureau.”
“I think the issue here is the decorum of partying it up with the team, if you will. I think it can lend itself to a perception that maybe this is not someone who’s taking his role seriously or not taking his job seriously,” she said.
Andrew McCabe, former acting director of the FBI during the first Trump administration, told CNN that Patel’s actions sent a “horrible, horrible message” to the bureau’s rank and file staff.
“I mean, the video is ridiculous, and it was completely inappropriate for him to be engaging, to go at all,” McCabe said in an interview with Jake Tapper. “Let’s be honest. The excuse that he had to go for security meetings the day before the games are over is patently ridiculous.”
A Patel ally told Semafor that the FBI director planned his trip months ago — before both the latest Epstein tranche release and Nancy Guthrie disappearance — and said that he did do actual work during the trip. When it comes to decorum, the ally said he’d give Patel a pass since he’s a big hockey fan.
“He’s a hockey fan, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” the source reportedly told Semafor. “I give him a pass on this one.”
Another reason Patel may get a pass is that his boss, President Donald Trump, is himself a sports fan – and personally phoned the men’s hockey team to congratulate them and invite them to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address and to the White House.
Patel previously took flak for using his position to secure SWAT protection for his country music singer girlfriend, Alex Wilkins; for using the agency jet to fly to her shows; and for using taxpayer funds to fly to other personal events, such as a hunting trip, a wrestling match, and a golf outing.
The Independent has requested comment from Patel.
