FBI Director Kash Patel stayed unbothered when responding to social media users who criticized his locker room celebration with Team USA following their historic Olympics win.
“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,” Patel, 45, shared via X on Sunday, February 22. “Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created.”
Videos of Patel celebrating with the gold medal winners quickly went viral online. One clip showed Patel drinking what appeared to be a beer while wearing a Team USA shirt. (President Donald Trump called Team USA to congratulate them on Sunday as well.)
Patel returned to X with a second post, addressing the video.
“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,” he wrote. “Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth.”
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NHL star Jack Hughes scored the winning goal in Team USA’s hockey game against Canada, which went into overtime on Sunday morning. The United States took home the win with a score of 2-1. This marked the first time in 40 years — to the day — that Team USA won gold in men’s hockey since the Miracle on Ice in 1980.
Some social media users supported Patel’s celebration with the team, while others continued to share their disappointment.
Patel’s celebration comes as the FBI continues to assist in the search for Savannah Guthrie’s mom, Nancy, who has been missing in Arizona since February 1. (She was last seen on January 31 after being dropped off by family members just before 10 p.m.)
Earlier this month, the FBI released footage filmed outside Nancy’s house the night of her apparent abduction. The alleged assailant was wearing all black, a ski mask and carrying a backpack, according to the footage. The person also attempted to cover the camera with a branch.
Last week, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos confirmed that investigators are looking into whether the alleged suspect was wearing a ring under their black gloves. They have also looked into the specific brand of backpack they appeared to be using.
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“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,” Nanos told NBC News on Wednesday, February 18. “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.”
Savannah and her siblings, Annie and Camron, have continued to provide a united front as the search for their 84-year-old mother continues. They’ve released several videos, updating social media followers on the investigation.
Savannah’s most recent plea for her mom’s return came on February 15.
“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 shared via Instagram on February 15. “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.”
