IMG_7097

MAYBE DEMOCRATS SHOULD SIT THIS ONE OUT. KASH PATEL ATTENDED THE 2026 WINTER OLYMPICS JUST LIKE MANY BEFORE HIM! This is a longstanding tradition (with exceptions, e.g., a diplomatic boycott, which meant no official U.S. delegation to the 2022 Beijing Winter Games). For U.S.-hosted Olympics, the sitting president often attends in person as the host nation’s head of state and declares the Games open. Below is a list of notable elected government politicians sent in official capacities (focusing on documented federal examples; full delegations also include ambassadors, athletes, or appointees). Vice Presidents: • Mike Pence (R-IN, Vice President 2017–2021): Led the full U.S. presidential delegation to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics (South Korea), including the opening ceremony. Senators: • Chris Coons (D-DE): Member of the opening ceremony delegation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. • Alex Padilla (D-CA): Member of the opening ceremony delegation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. • Laphonza Butler (D-CA): Member of the closing ceremony delegation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. U.S. Representatives (Members of Congress) • Ed Royce (R-CA-39, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee): Member of the delegation to the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. • Robert Garcia (D-CA-42): Member of the closing ceremony delegation for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Presidents (for U.S.-Hosted Games): • Ronald Reagan (R, President 1981–1989): Attended and officially opened the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics as host nation leader. • Bill Clinton (D, President 1993–2001): Attended and officially opened the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics as host nation leader. • George W. Bush (R, President 2001–2009): Attended the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics (host nation leader; a presidential delegation with cabinet officials was also announced). Additional Notes on Other Government Politicians: • Local elected officials have also joined, e.g., Karen Bass (D, Mayor of Los Angeles) was part of the 2024 Paris opening delegation. • Cabinet secretaries (appointed but often former elected politicians, e.g., governors or senators) frequently appear in delegations, such as Secretary of State John Kerry (former senator) leading the 2016 Rio opening. • First Ladies (e.g., Jill Biden for the 2021 Tokyo opening and the 2024 Paris opening; Michelle Obama for the 2012 London opening) commonly lead delegations but are not elected politicians. These delegations emphasize national unity and support for athletes. Comprehensive historical lists of every member across all pre-2026 Games are not centralized in a single public database, but the White House archives document them per Olympiad. Congressional or state politicians sometimes attend independently (not as part of the official “sent” presidential group), but the above focuses on those formally designated.