Kash Patel Fires FBI Whistleblower Reinstated by Trump After Threatening Remarks
A former FBI agent and high-profile whistleblower was dismissed from the Federal Bureau of Investigation again on Friday, with FBI Director Kash Patel signing the termination, according to multiple U.S. news outlets. The firing came after the agent was recently reinstated under President Donald Trump’s administration, raising alarms among critics about internal bureau discipline and political tensions.
The terminated agent, Steve Friend, had been suspended in 2022 under President Joe Biden and resigned in early 2023 after opposing the FBI’s handling of Jan. 6 related investigations. In late 2025 he was brought back to the bureau’s rolls amid Trump’s restructuring of FBI leadership. However, the return was short-lived once again.
According to a copy of the termination letter shared publicly, Patel cited Friend’s “unprofessional conduct and poor judgment,” pointing to unauthorized media appearances and threatening comments made during a December 5 podcast hosted by a former FBI agent. Bureau officials said the comments, including remarks interpreted as invoking “God’s wrath” against leadership, violated longstanding FBI policies on public commentary and employee conduct.
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This second firing has triggered sharp responses. Some conservative commentators argue the bureau is punishing political speech, while law enforcement sources stress that FBI personnel policies apply equally, regardless of political context.
A spokesperson for the FBI declined additional comment, emphasizing that employment decisions are personnel matters. Critics have questioned whether the firing reflects broader tensions within the agency as it undergoes sweeping leadership changes under Trump and Patel.
The dismissal highlights ongoing scrutiny of how the bureau manages internal discipline and free speech and whether political dynamics are affecting operational stability.
What happens next?
Congressional oversight committees are expected to probe whistleblower protections and whether internal conduct rules were applied consistently.
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