FBI SILENCES Whistleblower: They Tried to Bury the Truth—And FAILED!

A stunning reversal unfolded Friday as Steve Friend, a former FBI agent and outspoken critic of the Bureau’s handling of COVID-era investigations, was once again dismissed from his position. His recent reinstatement under President Trump had been hailed by some as a victory for whistleblowers, making this termination all the more dramatic.

The FBI cited “unprofessional conduct and poor judgment” as the reason for Friend’s firing, details of which were revealed in a termination letter circulating online. The letter specifically accuses Friend of unauthorized contact with the media, publicizing sensitive information, and commenting on ongoing investigations – actions the Bureau deemed unacceptable.

Friend’s initial suspension in August 2022 led to his resignation the following February, a period marked by intense scrutiny and public debate. His reinstatement last September offered a glimmer of hope, but that hope has now been extinguished with this latest action.

The termination letter details a specific incident in November, alleging Friend publicly identified a subject of an investigation and discussed the case on his podcast, despite a lack of concrete evidence. This act, according to the FBI, violated established protocols and compromised the integrity of the investigation.

In a swift response, Friend alleges this dismissal is direct retaliation orchestrated by FBI Director Kash Patel. He claims his firing is a consequence of speaking out and challenging the Bureau’s internal practices, a claim that remains unconfirmed by official sources.

Adding another layer of complexity, the non-profit organization Empower Oversight Whistleblowers & Research, which had previously represented Friend, dropped him as a client earlier this month. They cited his repeated disregard for their advice against publicly discussing FBI matters as the reason for severing ties.

Empower Oversight expressed concern that Friend’s continued public commentary was actively jeopardizing his position and hindering their ability to effectively represent him. They stated their unwillingness to expend further resources on a case where their counsel was consistently ignored.

This case raises critical questions about the protection of whistleblowers within the FBI and the boundaries of public discourse regarding sensitive investigations. Friend’s story has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over transparency and accountability within the nation’s premier law enforcement agency.