FBI director Kash Patel says his beer-soaked celebration with the US hockey team was personal, not official, and he will reimburse costs amid Democratic criticism.

WASHINGTON: FBI Director Kash Patel has defended his celebratory appearance in the US men’s hockey team’s locker room after their Olympic gold medal win.

Patel stated he was in Italy on official business and would personally cover any costs related to his personal activities.

“Yes, 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,” Patel wrote on social media.

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Videos from Sunday showed Patel celebrating the team’s 2-1 overtime victory over Canada by jumping and drinking beer with the players.

Democrats have criticised the trip as a misuse of taxpayer funds.

“The grift and corruption is unreal. Your taxpayer dollars funding the FBI Director’s Italian vacation,” Democratic Representative Jason Crow posted online.

FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson confirmed Patel’s travel was for official duties.

Williamson added that Patel would reimburse the government for any personal use of FBI resources during the trip.

Patel shared official photos of meetings with foreign officials and US security personnel at the Olympics.

He has previously faced allegations of misusing an FBI jet for personal travel to Scotland, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

 The Sun Malaysia