Whistleblower Steve Friend Fired From FBI After Remarks Interpreted As Threat Toward Director Kash Patel

Former FBI agent and self-described whistleblower Steve Friend has been fired from the bureau following remarks made on a podcast that were interpreted internally as a threat against FBI Director Kash Patel, according to multiple bureau sources.

Friend, who was suspended under the Biden administration and later reinstated under President Donald Trump, was removed from his position on Saturday after comments he made during an appearance on The Kyle Seraphin Show last week. The podcast is hosted by former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin.

Friend previously gained national attention after claiming he was improperly suspended by former FBI Director Chris Wray for raising concerns about the bureau’s handling of January 6 investigations. Roughly 1,600 defendants were prosecuted in connection with the Capitol riot. After his suspension in August 2022, Friend resigned in February 2023 and became a media commentator, author, and public critic of the FBI. He was also, at one point, an ally of Patel.

Friend was reinstated to the FBI payroll on October 10 following a settlement, though he had not resumed active duty at the Jacksonville field office due to unresolved background clearance issues, a situation that can arise in whistleblower cases.

During the podcast appearance, Friend promoted a conspiracy theory alleging that Patel was involved in a fabricated cover-up related to the arrest of an alleged January 6 pipe bomber. While discussing the claim, Friend made remarks about delivering “God’s wrath” to those responsible.

“You better pray to Gaia or Vishnu or whatever your maker is, that real Steve Friend is never in a position to be an instrument of God’s wrath,” Friend said. “I won’t give you a trial and a hanging. I’ll allow you to breathe every breath that your body will have for the rest of its natural life inside of a box.”

Although Friend did not mention Patel by name, he referenced someone in “executive leadership” and invoked Vishnu, which was viewed internally as a reference to Patel, who was raised Hindu. The comments were clipped and circulated on X by retired FBI supervisory special agent John Nantz, triggering concern within the bureau.

Following the incident, Friend was ordered to report in person to the Jacksonville field office starting Monday. Law enforcement sources said the remarks violated FBI policies governing public speech and conduct.

The episode also led Empower Oversight, the legal group that had successfully negotiated Friend’s reinstatement and back pay, to drop him as a client the same day the podcast aired. In a letter shared publicly, the firm revealed it had warned Friend weeks earlier that he remained subject to FBI social media and public communications rules after being reinstated.

The firm said Friend ignored repeated legal advice and continued making public statements critical of the bureau and promoting conspiracy theories. The attorneys warned that such behavior could result in further administrative action, which ultimately occurred.

Friend has also previously violated FBI policy by speaking publicly while still technically employed, including giving an interview in 2022 to Russian state-backed outlet RT during his suspension.

Before becoming FBI director, Patel had publicly supported Friend and Seraphin through a foundation that aided agents who claimed retaliation during the Biden administration. After taking office, Patel reviewed personnel files related to Friend and reportedly became concerned about information detailing the reasons for his original removal.

The FBI declined to comment on personnel matters.

Observers inside and outside the bureau have noted the irony that Patel, who initially backed Friend and authored Government Gangsters criticizing abuses within federal law enforcement, ultimately became the target of Friend’s most severe rhetoric.

As one retired official put it, Patel supported these figures until he gained access to the full internal record. The fallout since then, they argue, speaks for itself.