FBI Director Kash Patel has fired an agent and one-time ally who spread conspiracy theories about him and made veiled threats, according to reports. Steven Friend, a whistleblower who alleged the Biden-era FBI targeted conservatives, was dismissed last week in a letter dated December 12.
Friend's dismissal follows comments made on a podcast hosted by former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin on December 5, in which he said: "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." He added: "I will be merciful: 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 directly name Patel, he implied that the FBI director was behind the arrest of Brian Cole Jr., the alleged Washington, D.C. pipe bomber, suggesting without evidence that Patel was part of a cover-up. His reference to the Hindu god Vishnu was seen as a possible nod to Patel's religion.
In his dismissal letter, Patel wrote: "You are being summarily dismissed from your position at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and removed from the federal service, under my authority as the FBI Director, effective immediately. You have demonstrated unprofessional conduct and poor judgment." This marks the second time Friend has been ousted from the bureau in four years; he was suspended in 2022 by then-Director Chris Wray after alleging excessive force against individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Friend had become a media commentator and ally of Patel, who provided him with "mysterious payments," according to Politico. He reached a settlement with the Department of Justice this summer and was reinstated at the FBI in October following Donald Trump's return to office, though he had not been performing regular duties as his background check was incomplete. Since his dismissal, Friend has repeatedly criticised Patel's leadership on social media. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Independent.
