A high-profile whistleblower is once again out of the FBI, this time under a cloud of controversy and accusations.
According to Fox News, Steve Friend, a former FBI agent and outspoken internal critic during the COVID-19 era, was dismissed on Dec. 12, just three months after being reinstated under the Trump administration, with the agency citing media violations and ethical missteps for the termination.
The friend had originally been suspended back in August 2022 and later resigned in February 2023 following internal clashes over FBI operational procedures during that period.
Firing Follows Reinstatement Amid Political Tensions
He was reinstated in September 2025, but his time back in government service was brief. The termination letter from the FBI accused him of “unprofessional conduct and poor judgment,” particularly in regard to his alleged media activity.
According to the agency, Friend engaged in "unauthorized interactions with the media" and commented publicly on ongoing investigations. That is, apparently, a fireable offense if you lean right—but not if you leak for the Washington Post. In particular, the Bureau took issue with Friend discussing photographs and information about an alleged subject on his podcast. They claimed this was done “despite the lack of credible, verifiable evidence necessary” to make such an identification public.
Legal Support Withdrawn Before Dismissal
In a move foreshadowing his firing, the nonprofit that had represented Friend during his earlier whistleblower case, Empower Oversight Whistleblowers & Research, severed ties with him on Dec. 5. They cited his decision to ignore their advice and appear publicly as jeopardizing his standing further.
"Risking further adverse administrative action," the group wrote, explaining that Friend’s continued public commentary clashed with the strategy they had laid out for his defense.
In their letter, the nonprofit added, “We are no longer willing or able to expend further time and resources representing your interests or providing counsel moving forward.” That’s polite legal speak for getting out while the getting’s good.
Podcast Comments Spark Internal Outrage
At the heart of the controversy were Friend’s remarks made in November on his personal podcast, where he not only shared media but also directly discussed someone allegedly under investigation. For an agency that leaks like a sieve when it suits the narrative, their line in the sand for Friend seems awfully tidy.
FBI insiders confirmed the termination to the media but gave no additional details, labeling it strictly a personnel matter. Given the stakes, one is left to wonder if there’s more to this than a breach of protocol. Friend, now publicly characterizing his firing as “retaliation by FBI Director Kash Patel,” has not backed down. Speaking with Fox News Digital, he drew a direct line between his ouster and his earlier criticism of Bureau misconduct.
Capitol Hill Backlash and Conservative Support
Friend had previously testified before Congress in May 2023, sitting alongside fellow former agent Garret O’Boyle, providing detailed insights into FBI operations during the pandemic era. That appearance, praised by several House Republicans, marked him as a hero in some conservative circles and a lightning rod in others.
His whistleblowing centered around concerns of political bias and overreach during politically sensitive investigations. The sort of complaints that, if made from the left, earn parades; from the right, evidently blacklists. House GOP members have since accused the Biden-era FBI of targeting people like Friend as part of a broader campaign to silence dissent from within. Whether this parting shot by the Bureau adds fuel to that fire is a question already being asked loudly.
Friend’s Dismissal Echoes Broader Whistleblower Concerns
Notably, a separate former FBI agent, Kyle Seraphin, posted Empower Oversight’s letter publicly, reinforcing how fractured this situation has become even among Friend’s previous allies. When both your employer and legal team walk in the same week, it’s no small statement.
Miranda Devine of the New York Post also shared the FBI’s termination letter online, bringing the story into sharper focus. With every page exposed, it reads more like a pretext than a policy violation. A friend’s case reflects a stark reality many whistleblowers face: once you cross the powers that be, even reinstatement doesn’t guarantee a second chance. In his case, it lasted barely three months.
