APPLETON, Wis. — FBI Director Kash Patel found himself at the center of a social media storm this week after videos surfaced of him celebrating in the locker room with the triumphant Team USA men's hockey team following their gold medal victory at the Olympics. The 45-year-old director, known for his outspoken patriotism, joined the players in what he described as a moment of national pride, but the exuberant display drew sharp criticism from some online users who questioned its appropriateness amid ongoing high-profile investigations under his agency's purview.
The controversy erupted on Sunday, February 22, when Team USA clinched a dramatic 2-1 overtime win against Canada in the gold medal game, marking the first U.S. victory in men's hockey in 40 years — exactly to the day since the legendary 'Miracle on Ice' upset at the 1980 Winter Olympics. NHL star Jack Hughes scored the decisive goal, sending the American team into a frenzy of jubilation. Videos quickly went viral showing Patel, clad in a Team USA shirt and holding what appeared to be a beer, high-fiving and cheering with the athletes in the locker room.
Patel, undeterred by the backlash, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to defend his actions. '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,' he posted. He continued, 'Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.' In a follow-up message addressing the footage directly, Patel wrote, '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.'
The celebration also caught the attention of President Donald Trump, who reportedly called the team on Sunday to offer congratulations, underscoring the event's high-profile nature. Supporters on social media praised Patel's involvement as a refreshing display of American spirit, with one user commenting that it showed the FBI director's human side. However, detractors argued that the optics were poor, especially given the FBI's involvement in several sensitive cases, including the ongoing search for a missing Arizona woman whose daughter is a prominent television personality.
That search centers on Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC News anchor Savannah Guthrie, who has been missing since February 1 in Pima County, Arizona. According to authorities, Nancy was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off by family members just before 10 p.m. The FBI has been assisting local law enforcement in the investigation, which has taken a grim turn with the release of surveillance footage earlier this month showing what appears to be an abduction outside her home.
The footage, captured on the night of the incident, depicts a figure dressed in all black, wearing a ski mask and carrying a backpack, approaching the residence. The individual is seen attempting to obscure the camera with a branch, according to the FBI's description. Investigators have zeroed in on minute details to identify the suspect: Last week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that his team is examining whether the person was wearing a ring visible under their black gloves. They are also analyzing the specific brand of the backpack observed in the video.
I think this was an individual who had a target for whatever reason, and he has made it tough, but I’ve got some pretty tough investigators too. As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it’s not cold. We’re not going to give up. We’re going to find Nancy, and we’re going to find out who did this.
Sheriff Nanos shared these insights in an interview with NBC News on Wednesday, February 18, emphasizing the determination of his team despite the challenges. The case has garnered national attention, partly due to Savannah Guthrie's visibility as co-anchor of the 'Today' show, where she has balanced her professional duties with public pleas for information about her mother's whereabouts.
Savannah Guthrie, along with her siblings Annie and Camron, has maintained a united front throughout the ordeal, regularly updating followers on social media with videos detailing the latest developments. In her most recent message on February 15, posted to Instagram, Guthrie expressed unwavering hope. 'I wanted to come on. It’s been two weeks since our mom was taken, and I just wanted to come on and say that we still have hope,' she said. 'We still believe, and I wanted to say to whoever has her, or knows where she is, that it’s never too late and you’re not lost or alone.'
The juxtaposition of Patel's locker room revelry with the gravity of the Guthrie investigation has fueled much of the online debate. Critics on platforms like X have pointed out that while the FBI director was toasting with Olympic heroes, his agency was still piecing together leads in a case that has left a family in anguish for over three weeks. One viral tweet read, 'FBI Director partying while a grandma is missing? Priorities?' Yet, Patel's defenders counter that personal moments of celebration do not detract from the bureau's professional commitments, noting that the invitation came directly from the athletes themselves.
Patel's role as FBI Director adds another layer to the story. Appointed in a politically charged environment, he has often positioned himself as a champion of American values, frequently invoking themes of patriotism in his public statements. His presence at the Olympic celebration aligns with this image, but it also highlights the scrutiny that comes with leading one of the nation's most powerful law enforcement agencies during times of multiple crises.
Looking back at the hockey triumph, the game's tension was palpable from the start. Played on a Sunday morning in the U.S., the match went into overtime after a tightly contested regulation period, with Team USA holding a slim lead thanks to earlier scoring. Hughes' goal not only secured the gold but also evoked memories of the 1980 Lake Placid miracle, when a ragtag U.S. squad stunned the Soviet Union en route to gold — a victory that remains etched in American sports lore as a symbol of underdog resilience.
For the players, the win represented the culmination of years of sacrifice, as Patel himself noted in his posts. The team, composed of NHL professionals, had navigated a grueling tournament schedule, facing off against international powerhouses. Their invitation to Patel underscores the bridges that can form between public officials and athletes, even as public perception varies.
As the dust settles on the Olympic glory, the focus inevitably shifts back to unresolved matters like the Guthrie case. With no new breakthroughs reported in the abduction investigation, the family's pleas continue to resonate. Sheriff Nanos' assurance that leads will be pursued relentlessly offers some solace, but the passage of time weighs heavily. The FBI's dual role — in both national celebrations and somber searches — illustrates the breadth of its responsibilities, often playing out under the unforgiving lens of social media.
Moving forward, questions linger about how such public moments might influence public trust in institutions like the FBI. While Patel's celebration was a brief interlude of joy, the ongoing search for Nancy Guthrie serves as a stark reminder of the human stakes involved in law enforcement work. Families like the Guthries wait, and investigators press on, determined to bring closure. For now, the gold medal shine contrasts sharply with the shadows of uncertainty in Arizona, leaving observers to ponder the balance between triumph and tragedy in the American narrative.
In Appleton and beyond, reactions to these intertwined stories reflect a divided public discourse. Some see Patel's actions as emblematic of a leader who embodies the nation's highs and lows; others view it as a misstep in timing. As the Olympics fade from the headlines, the search for answers in the Guthrie disappearance takes precedence, with hopes pinned on the next lead to emerge from Pima County's rugged terrain.