FBI Director Kash Patel, next to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks at a press conference following the arrest in the D.C. pipe bomber investigation, at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 4, 2025. REUTERS/Jessica Koscielniak
(Milan, Italy) – FBI Director Kash Patel is heading to Italy for the Winter Olympics — flying aboard the bureau’s Gulfstream jet — where he plans to watch Team USA compete in men’s ice hockey, according to multiple reports.
Patel, described as an avid hockey player and fan, is expected to attend both the bronze medal game Saturday and the gold medal matchup Sunday.
FBI Confirms Trip, Cites Official Business
An FBI official confirmed Patel’s travel plans, stating the trip includes official government responsibilities. According to the bureau, Patel is scheduled to attend security briefings related to the Olympics, meet with a U.S. ambassador and participate in other government meetings while in Italy.
CBS first reported Patel’s travel Thursday afternoon.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson later said the trip was not personal in nature and that Patel had been invited months in advance.
“The FBI also has a major role in Olympic security – as we do with the World Cup, F1, and more – so we have a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security and current FBI posture, as well as thanking FBI personnel on the ground,” Williamson wrote.
Trip Could Cost Tens of Thousands
Government estimates place the cost of operating the FBI’s Gulfstream jet at roughly $5,000 per flight hour, meaning the round-trip flight to Milan could total as much as $75,000.
As FBI director, Patel is required to use the bureau’s aircraft for official travel to ensure secure communications and rapid return capability in the event of a national security emergency. Federal rules also require him to reimburse taxpayers for any personal portion of the trip, up to the cost of a commercial airline ticket.
An FBI official said Patel would reimburse the government if any part of the travel is deemed personal, but emphasized the primary purpose of the trip is official business.
Rare for FBI Director to Attend Olympics
The last known instance of an FBI director traveling in connection with the Olympics was in 2003, when then-Director Robert Mueller traveled to Greece months ahead of the Summer Games to review security preparations.
It remains unclear how much of Patel’s time in Milan will be spent at Olympic events versus official meetings.
