FBI ousts reinstated whistleblower over unauthorized media talks, ‘poor judgment’
A former FBI agent and COVID-era whistleblower who was in recent times reinstated under President Donald Trump was fired Friday according to a analysis The FBI dismissed Steve Friend for unprofessional conduct and poor judgment according to a copy of the termination letter posted on X by New York Post columnist Miranda Devine An FBI source approved the firing but would not elaborate c biting that it is a personnel matter The FBI stated in the letter that Friend participated in unauthorized interactions with the media publicly disseminated media sources and commented publicly on FBI matters and ongoing FBI investigations HOUSE REPUBLICANS ACCUSE BIDEN'S FBI OF RETALIATING AGAINST WHISTLEBLOWER WHO EXPOSED MISCONDUCTFriend was first suspended by the FBI in August and resigned in February of He was reinstated last September In the letter the FBI stated that 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 When reached for comment by Fox News Digital Friend announced his ouster was retaliation by FBI Director Kash Patel EX-FBI AGENTS SAY BUREAU USED INTERNAL PROBES TO PUNISH WHISTLEBLOWERSFriend s dismissal from the Bureau came after his attorneys at Empower Oversight Whistleblowers Research dropped him as a client on Dec The non-profit organization mentioned in a letter to Friend that he had ignored its advice by commenting publicly on FBI matters risking further adverse administrative action by the Bureau In light of your apparent unwillingness to follow the free professional advice we have given you we are even more convinced that our previously expressed inability to represent you regarding any legal matters other than your reinstatement was warranted the non-profit wrote We are no longer willing or able to expend further time and tools representing your interests or providing counsel moving forward
