Overview
- Steve Friend was fired Saturday, according to the New York Post, after remarks on a podcast were interpreted as a threat toward FBI Director Kash Patel.
- On a December 5 appearance on The Kyle Seraphin Show, Friend invoked “God’s wrath” while referencing an unidentified executive, language colleagues read as aimed at Patel.
- A clip of the comments was posted on X on December 8 by retired supervisory agent John Nantz, and Friend was then told to report to the FBI’s Jacksonville field office, a law enforcement source told the Post.
- Empower Oversight, the group that secured his reinstatement and back pay, dropped him as a client the day of the podcast and had warned on November 24 that he remained subject to FBI social media and conduct policies.
- Friend had been returned to the FBI payroll on October 10 but had not resumed duties pending a background check, and the bureau declined to comment on the personnel matter.