Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) shrugged off concerns regarding FBI Director Kash Patel’s alcohol consumption on Wednesday. According to Boebert, she witnessed the director having one beer at a hockey game and likened it to her own casual drinking habits at such games.
“I don’t think I don’t know what Kash Patel does,” Boebert said when asked whether she was concerned about the FBI director’s drinking. “He says that he’s not drinking a lot. We saw one beer at a hockey game. I mean, I’ve had a couple of beers at a hockey game.”
The statement comes amid April 2026 reports that Patel had been drinking excessively, exhibiting erratic behavior, and taking frequent absences from work.
This followed a February 2026 episode in which Patel reportedly drank several beers while celebrating with the US Olympic men’s hockey team after they won their gold medal.
Rep. Boebert’s defense of Patel elicited an immediate backlash online. One person even brought up a 2023 incident in which Boebert had to leave an appearance at the Denver production of the musical “Beetlejuice” due to inappropriate behavior on stage.
“She was also playing pocket rocket in the movies, so maybe she isn’t the best judge of character,” wrote one user.
Another person took a less harsh approach: “I can’t stand her politics, but she seems like a fun time.” Another stated, “I mean, she is right, we are taking the focus off the other goofy stuff he has done.”
