Steve Friend, a reinstated former FBI agent and COVID-era whistleblower, was fired for "unprofessional conduct and poor judgment," the Bureau said after a termination letter was posted on X. The FBI accused Friend of unauthorized media interactions, including sharing sources and photographs on his podcast that identified an alleged subject without verifiable evidence. His attorneys at Empower Oversight dropped him Dec. 5, saying he ignored counsel and risked further action. Friend calls the firing retaliation; the FBI has not substantiated that claim.
FBI Fires Reinstated Whistleblower Steve Friend, Citing 'Poor Judgment' Over Unauthorized Media Contacts
FBI ousts reinstated whistleblower over unauthorized media talks, ‘poor judgment’
Steve Friend, a former FBI agent and COVID-era whistleblower who had been reinstated to the Bureau under President Donald Trump, was terminated Friday for "unprofessional conduct and poor judgment," according to a copy of a termination letter posted on X by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine.
The letter, which an FBI source confirmed as authentic while declining further comment, says Friend "participated in unauthorized interactions with the media, publicly disseminated media sources, and commented publicly on FBI matters and ongoing FBI investigations."
Whistleblowers and former FBI special agents Garret O'Boyle and Steve Friend testified before Congress May 18.
According to the letter, in November Friend "disseminated media sources and photographs identifying an alleged subject and discussed the alleged subject on your podcast, despite the lack of credible, verifiable evidence necessary to publicly identify the subject." The FBI framed those actions as violations of internal policies governing public commentary by current and former employees.
Friend was initially suspended by the Bureau in August 2022 and resigned in February 2023. He was later reinstated in September. When contacted by Fox News Digital, Friend characterized his firing as retaliatory and specifically named FBI Director Kash Patel; the FBI has not publicly substantiated that claim.
The FBI fired whistleblower Steve Friend Dec 12, according to a report.
Legal Representation Withdrawn
Friend’s departure followed his attorneys at Empower Oversight Whistleblowers & Research dropping him as a client on Dec. 5. In a letter to Friend, the nonprofit said he had ignored their advice by commenting publicly about FBI matters and was "risking further adverse administrative action" by the Bureau.
Empower Oversight wrote that, given Friend's apparent unwillingness to follow professional advice, it could not and would not continue representing him on legal matters beyond his reinstatement: "We are no longer willing or able to expend further time and resources representing your interests or providing counsel moving forward."
The termination has prompted renewed discussion about the boundaries for former agents speaking publicly about ongoing investigations, the appropriate handling of sensitive information, and how whistleblower cases are managed within the FBI. Agency officials confirmed only that a personnel action occurred and declined further comment. Friend continues to assert the firing was retaliatory.
