FBI Is Now a ‘Weaponized Apparatchik’ of the Presidential Administration: Whistleblower

There’s a growing divide between the rank-and-file officers of the FBI and upper management, according to FBI agent-turned-whistleblower Steve Friend, and it’s those at the top who are pushing a political agenda.

“I spent close to nine years in the FBI, spent a good chunk of my time just keeping my head down and working the cases in front of me,” Friend made the comment in an interview with NTD News on March 14, The Epoch Times’ sister publication.

“There are a lot of agents that sort of share that sentiment and just want to drive the mission forward. Unfortunately, there’s a big disconnect between the rank-and-file and the management class, and as you climb that ladder, it’s tending to become more and more political.”

The evidence, Friend said, could be seen in the bureau’s disparate treatment of pro-life activists—like Mark Houck, whose home was raided by the FBI over an altercation outside of a Planned Parenthood—and pro-abortion activists, like those who protested outside of Supreme Court justices’ homes and were never investigated.

“I think there’s an argument to be made that the FBI has now just become a weaponized apparatchik of the presidential administration,” He said that the perception of political bias has led to a decline in public trust in the agency.

Blowing the Whistle

Friend—now a senior fellow at the Center for Renewing America—previously worked as a special agent in the FBI’s Jacksonville, Florida, office, but was suspended from the agency after he came forward last September with concerns about how the bureau was handling child sexual abuse cases and allegations that cases were being inappropriately assigned.

Friend had also objected that the FBI used SWAT teams for arresting individuals suspected of misdemeanors during Jan. 6 Capitol breaches.

According to a March 6, (pdf) letter from Empower Oversight whistleblower group, Friend was informed by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General in December that, “after careful consideration,” The OIG decided not to open an investigation into his claims.

However, DOJ Assistant Inspector General Sean O’Neill stated that DOJ InspectorGeneral Michael Horowitz had replied on March 16. “still intends to schedule an interview with Mr. Friend regarding his disclosures.”

Views Jan. 6

Prior to his suspension, Friend was involved in investigations relating to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach—an incident he said could only be fully understood through “radical transparency.”

“I’m hoping that this slow drip of surveillance footage is just eventually abandoned, and we just get the whole amount of it,” he said, alluding to the recent exposés aired by Fox News’ Tucker Carlson.

“There’s no reason why it should be leaked out slowly because that just gives cannon fodder to both sides to accuse the other of cherry-picking their information.”

Friend expressed his opinion on the events. “mixed bag” People who did something “deplorable and abhorrent” Things and should be held responsible and those who were only there to exercise their First Amendment rights should also be held accountable.

He also noted that the Capitol Police did grant permission for protesters to enter the building.

“Whether or not the Capitol Police were trying to deescalate the situation doesn’t mitigate the fact that they gave permission to those folks and assured them that they were within the law to walk through the Capitol peacefully and admire the House of Representatives and the Senate.”

The Oath ‘Has to Mean Something’

Friend pointed out that there are some officers who might be tempted, given the stress of the internal conflict among the rank-and file officers and their leadership, to remain silent about misconduct at work until they receive their pensions or leave.

However, he stated that they should not allow their temptation to override their oaths of office.

“You swear an oath in the very beginning, and that has to mean something at the end of the day,” He stated. “I stood up and I swore an oath before God, my family, and my colleagues that I was going to protect the Constitution and my fellow countrymen. And I joined the FBI to do the work of the FBI, not to retire from the FBI.”

As for others on the inside looking to speak out, Friend encouraged them to do so—but smartly.

“You should look into the proper whistleblowing procedures and make sure your concerns are brought forward. And hopefully, the select committee looking at government weaponization will protect whistleblowers, so that you’re not going to have to sacrifice that career.”

The Epoch Times contacted FBI to get comment.