WASHINGTON — A former FBI agent who was suspended during the Biden administration and later reinstated under President Trump amid public attention has once again been removed from the bureau, The Post has learned.
FBI whistleblower Steve Friend was dismissed after making remarks on a podcast last week that were interpreted internally as a threat toward FBI Director Kash Patel, according to bureau sources familiar with the matter.
Friend rose to prominence after alleging he was unfairly placed on leave by former FBI Director Chris Wray for calling out issues in the Jan. 6 investigation, which ultimately led to the prosecution of roughly 1,600 defendants tied to the 2021 Capitol riot. Following his suspension, Friend became an author, media personality, and at one point, a close ally of Patel.
Initially suspended in August 2022 and later resigning in February 2023, Friend was restored to the FBI payroll on Oct. 10. However, he had not resumed active duties at the Jacksonville field office because he was still awaiting clearance for a background check — a complication that can occur in whistleblower cases.
During an appearance on The Kyle Seraphin Show on Dec. 5, Friend promoted a conspiracy theory alleging Patel falsely arrested suspected D.C. pipe bomber Brian Cole Jr. as part of a supposed “cover up.” While discussing the claim, Friend made comments referencing “God’s wrath” that alarmed officials.
“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 during the podcast. He went on to describe punishment in graphic and disturbing terms.
Although Friend did not name Patel directly, he strongly implied the FBI director was involved, referencing someone in “executive leadership” and making remarks about Hindu deity Vishnu — a likely reference to Patel’s background.
A clip of the podcast was shared on X on Dec. 8 by retired FBI supervisory special agent John Nantz, who said the comments immediately raised red flags within the bureau. According to Nantz, Friend was subsequently summoned to appear in person.
A law enforcement source told The Post that Friend has been required to report daily to the FBI’s Jacksonville office since Monday.
Sources say the podcast remarks were the latest in a pattern of behavior that violated FBI policy, which strictly prohibits employees from publicly discussing bureau matters without authorization.
The same day as the podcast appearance, Empower Oversight — the legal firm that previously secured Friend’s reinstatement and back pay — dropped him as a client. A letter from the firm, later posted by Seraphin on X, revealed that attorneys had warned Friend on Nov. 24 that he remained subject to FBI social media restrictions after returning to the payroll.
Despite that guidance, Friend continued making public statements critical of the bureau and endorsing conspiracy theories.
“You seem unwilling to follow our advice,” the attorneys wrote, warning that his conduct could lead to “further adverse administrative action by the FBI.”
According to Nantz, Friend had also violated policy earlier by speaking to media outlets — including a December 2022 interview with Russian state-affiliated outlet RT — during a period when he was technically still considered an FBI employee.
“When he gave the [RT] interview, he was still technically indefinitely suspended,” Nantz said. “So that made him an FBI employee at the time. This kind of behavior isn’t new.”
Before becoming FBI director, Patel had supported both Friend and Seraphin through his foundation after they claimed retaliation by the Biden administration for opposing Jan. 6-related investigations.
Once in office, Patel explored Friend’s reinstatement but reportedly grew concerned after reviewing internal personnel records that detailed the circumstances surrounding Friend’s earlier removal, according to sources.
While the specifics of those files remain undisclosed — as the FBI does not comment on personnel matters — Nantz said it is notable that Patel, who once backed Friend’s whistleblower claims, later became the target of his accusations.
“Kash Patel wrote ‘Government Gangsters,’ spent years in conservative and MAGA circles, and played a major role in exposing Crossfire Hurricane,” Nantz said. “This is the same guy who supported these individuals — until he reviewed their personnel records as FBI director.”
“What does that tell anyone who’s being honest?” he added.
The FBI declined to comment on the matter. Friend did not respond to requests for comment.
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