FBI Director Kash Patel may have stirred controversy among voters after a video surfaced online showing him enjoying a beer and celebrating with Team USA’s men’s hockey team at the Winter Olympics.

As an enthusiastic hockey player and supporter, Patel journeyed to Italy on a government aircraft earlier this week. This trip, which might incur a cost of up to $75,000 for taxpayers, has faced criticism, even though the FBI has asserted it was for official business.

On Sunday, Patel was present in the Milan stands to witness Mike Sullivan’s squad make an impressive comeback, defeating their long-time adversaries 2-1 in overtime. This thrilling victory mirrored the recent triumph of the US women’s team, who clinched gold in a similar fashion.

Post-match, Patel expressed his admiration for the victorious American team and joined them in the locker room for celebratory festivities.

A widely shared video, posted by media outlets such as ProPublica and the Washington Post, captures Patel indulging in beer, spraying it around, and eventually donning a gold medal around his neck.

He also uploaded photos featuring himself with Sullivan and several players, including Jack Hughes, the athlete responsible for the decisive goal that ensured the gold medal win.

FBI director Kash Patel is pictured inside the locker room alongside Team USA hockey stars

Jack Hughes celebrates after scoring the goal that secured Team USA gold against Canada 

Patel took pictures with a number of players after they secured Olympic glory in Milan

The photos and videos have sparked fury among many Americans, given the FBI’s claims that this was a business trip and the Bureau’s involvement in high-profile cases such as the search for Nancy Guthrie.

But Patel later posted on social media: ‘For the very concerned media – 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.’

He earlier wrote, alongside a selection of pictures of him enjoying the postgame party: ‘Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world’

‘These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.’

President Donald Trump phoned Team USA men’s hockey stars after they beat rivals Canada to secure a first Winter Olympics gold medal in nearly half a century.

Sunday morning’s clash with Canada in Milan captured the attention of fans on both sides of the border, including in the White House.

And after landing a first gold in men’s hockey since 1980, Team USA received a congratulatory call from the President, who even reportedly invited the players to his State of the Union address on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump called Team USA to congratulate the players on their Olympic victory

The historic goal from Hughes sparked bedlam in the arena in Milan on Sunday 

‘He just spoke to the group expressing how proud he was of the group and congratulating everybody on the win,’ Sullivan revealed. ‘Obviously this game in a lot of ways was an inspiration to our country.

‘I can’t tell you how many texts I’ve received over the last day or so about watch parties at eight in the morning. I think from a viewership standpoint in the United States, there were a lot of people paying attention, the president included.’ 

Trump previously spoke to Team USA ahead of last year’s 4 Nations final against Canada, when they lost to Canada amid heightened tensions between the two nations. 

‘We’re all proud Americans, obviously,’ captain Auston Matthews said on Sunday. ‘This is a huge moment for us. A huge moment for the United States. He called, just congratulated us.’

Matthews hinted that the team could visit the White House to celebrate their Winter Olympics victory. But with a blizzard back home – and the return of the NHL on Wednesday – that could prove tricky.

‘I think there’s a lot of moving parts as far as our travels back home. We’ll see what happens,’ Matthews said. 

‘It’s an honor to wear this jersey and to represent the US. To go home with a gold medal. You know how much that means to guys in this room, to people watching and rooting us on too.’