Patriot Party or Public Duty? A Closer Look at FBI Director’s Olympic Hang‑out

A series of videos surfaced showing the FBI chief celebrating with the United States men’s hockey team after they clinched gold at the Olympics. In the footage, he can be seen cheering, drinking beer, and flashing a shaka sign next to star player Dylan Larkin. The clip also captures him taking a call from former President Trump, who was inviting the team to the White House.

These clips emerged at a time of heightened scrutiny for the FBI. Earlier that day, Secret Service agents shot and killed a man at the president’s Florida estate—a tragedy the bureau had pledged to investigate thoroughly. Concurrently, a high‑profile search for Nancy Guthrie, mother of a well‑known TV host, was underway. U.S. officials also warned citizens in Mexico to exercise caution after a major cartel leader was killed.

Critics have condemned the chief’s “party” as poor judgment amid a busy period for his agency. Former officials have resurfaced old footage in which he criticized another FBI chief for using a government jet on personal trips. The FBI maintains that the trip to Italy was preplanned months earlier for meetings with Italian law‑enforcement and that any personal travel would be reimbursed, though no further details have been released.

The incident raises questions about how public officials balance personal activities with professional duties and underscores the importance of maintaining trust when an agency’s reputation is at stake.