1. United States
2. Okla.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my concern about a recent incident involving FBI Director Kash Patel and the appearance of an apparent blending of official responsibilities with what looked like personal or political celebration at a highly publicized sporting event. According to reporting from CNN, Director Patel was present at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, where the U.S. men’s ice hockey team won the gold medal — its first since the famed 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” During the victory celebration in the team’s locker room, widely shared videos show Director Patel joining the players in singing, raising and spraying beer, and even being adorned with the team’s gold medal. While the achievements of our Olympic athletes are a source of national pride, and I join countless Americans in celebrating their success, I am troubled by the optics and implications of a sitting FBI Director actively participating in what appeared to be a celebratory and political moment with athletes — especially in a setting that quickly became the subject of national commentary. Leadership of law enforcement agencies carries standards of professionalism and impartiality, and those standards should apply regardless of the context or setting. As you are aware, the FBI plays a vital role in upholding public safety, investigating threats to national security and protecting civil liberties. When the Director of the FBI is seen in highly informal and partisan contexts — particularly when sharing phrases and interactions with political figures — it risks undermining public trust in the independence and neutrality our federal law enforcement institutions must maintain. Therefore, I urge you to consider the following: 1. Clarify the Parameters of Official Travel and Duties — Ensure that taxpayer-funded travel by senior federal law enforcement officials is strictly tied to official duties and conducted with transparency about purpose and activities. 2. Reinforce Professional Standards — Support clear guidelines that set expectations for behavior and public conduct by agency heads, especially regarding appearances at events that may be construed as partisan or aligned with specific political figures. 3. Oversight of Leadership Accountability — Advocate for congressional oversight to assess whether the actions of senior agency officials appropriately balance personal interests with professional responsibilities, preserving public confidence in federal law enforcement. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for ensuring that federal leadership remains accountable to the American people. I would appreciate any information you can share about what steps Congress plans to take to address how federal officials represent themselves in public settings.