Earlier this week, Kash Patel's administration defended his trip to Italy, suggesting that he was not traveling abroad to enjoy the Winter Olympics, but rather engage in "public official" meetings.
"This is the fourth public official event since Director Patel’s arrival in Italy. And for those wondering, I have yet to receive any follow up from CBS or MS NOW who purposefully misled people to think Kash was flying to Italy to hang out at the Olympics," Ben Williamson, the assistant director of public affairs at the FBI, shared.
Ken Dilanian of MSNOW replied: "Will he be at the hockey game tomorrow?"
Patel, 45, was spotted at the USA vs. Canada game on Sunday morning. He was then spotted celebrating in the locker room, following the 2-1 win.
Patel is facing blowback, after being spotted hanging out and celebrating with the USA team.
"New photos show FBI Director Kash Patel with the Team USA Men’s Hockey team following their huge win over Canada. Is this a waste of taxpayers money?" one fan wrote.
"Gotta hand it to the Trump administration. Only they could take a great moment for America and ruin it with their obscene grift. Ordinary Americans are funding Kash Patel’s jet-setting, lavish lifestyle on a private jet he uses for personal travel, like partying at the Olympics," one fan added.
"Our tax dollars just paid for Kash Patel to go hang out at the Olympics and then he got caught lying about it. Seriously," one fan added.
President Trump reacts to the USA win
President Trump took to social media to react to the big win on Sunday.
"Congratulations to our great U.S.A. Ice Hockey team. THEY WON THE GOLD. WOW!" he wrote on the social media platform.
"WHAT A GAME!!!" he added. "LOTS OF WINNING!!!"