FBI whistleblower Steve Friend fired after appearing to threaten Kash Patel with ‘God’s wrath’

WASHINGTON, DC: Former FBI agent and whistleblower Steve Friend has been fired from the Bureau after making remarks that were interpreted as a veiled threat toward FBI Director Kash Patel during a podcast.

Friend first gained attention for criticizing how the FBI handled the January 6 investigation.

His recent comments on a show hosted by former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin were viewed as unacceptable by the bureau and reportedly led to his dismissal.

Steve Friend’s podcast remarks and dismissal

On December 5, Friend appeared on 'The Kyle Seraphin Show', where he spread a conspiracy theory alleging that Patel orchestrated a “cover‑up” around the arrest of an alleged DC pipe bomber. 

While discussing this theory, Friend made disturbing statements about bringing “God’s wrath” down on the person he alleged was behind the scheme.

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…,” and threatened that he would not grant a trial and would let the person suffer "for the rest of its natural life inside of a box" before "real wrath begins."

Though Friend did not name Patel directly, he referred to someone in "executive leadership" and made references to the Hindu deity Vishnu, which sources said was taken internally as a nod to Patel’s Hindu upbringing.

Podcast clips were shared on X by retired FBI supervisory special agent John Nantz, drawing concern inside the bureau and leading to internal alarm bells about Friend’s conduct.

Friend’s remarks were viewed as running afoul of FBI policy, which prohibits unauthorized public commentary on ongoing matters related to the agency’s work.

Because of this, the FBI saw his behavior as a serious violation of internal rules. Friend was required to report in person to the FBI’s Jacksonville field office beginning the following Monday.

In a letter shared by Seraphin on X, the law firm warned that Friend’s actions risked further adverse administrative action by the FBI as he continued to speak duly against their advice.

Steve Friend’s history and Kash Patel’s involvement

Friend first rose to public attention for claiming that he was wrongly placed on leave in 2022 by then-FBI Director Chris Wray after raising concerns about aspects of the January 6 investigation. 

He resigned in February 2023 and became known as an author and media commentator and, at one time, as an ally of Patel. 

After being reinstated to the bureau’s payroll on October 10, 2025, Friend had not yet resumed official duties in Jacksonville because he had not completed his background check, a common situation in whistleblower cases.

Before his firing, Patel had supported both Friend and podcast host Seraphin through his foundation after they had said they were fired under the Biden administration for resisting investigations related to January 6 defendants. 

However, upon becoming FBI director, Patel reviewed personnel files that raised concerns about the reasons Friend was initially ousted.

Sources told the New York Post that these internal findings led Patel to distance himself from Friend.