A few years ago, I sat down on The Mentors Radio with FBI Special Agent Steve Friend, a fellow graduate of the University of Notre Dame, to explore the source of his courage.
Corruption vs. long-established FBI protocols
At the time, Steve had become a whistleblower after observing deviations from established FBI protocols in how January 6 cases were being pursued. He followed the rules: first reporting his concerns to his boss, then up the chain of command, and finally to the DOJ Inspector General. When nothing was done, as a last resort, he went to
Senator Ron Johnson.
Choosing to do the right thing had nasty consequences, but he did the right thing anyway
Doing the right thing cost him dearly. Steve was stripped of his assignment, his security clearance revoked, and his paycheck taken away. For 18 months, he couldn’t find work – even flipping burgers. His wife, who had also lost her job during that period, became the family’s sole source of support. They endured hardship most of us can barely imagine – all because he refused to compromise his integrity.
When I spoke with him earlier this year, I wondered aloud if his story might end with him being reinstated. At the time, there was no sign of that.
This week—years later—justice for those who stood up
But this week, I learned the good news: Steve Friend has been reinstated to the FBI, along with fellow whistleblowers Garret O’Boyle and Zachery Schoffstall. They will receive back pay and benefits, and – most importantly – return to the work they trained for: protecting children and defending our country.
A reminder for the rest of us
For Steve, this is vindication. For the rest of us, it is a reminder.
- That courage sometimes requires putting everything on the line.
- That telling the truth often comes at a cost.
- And that integrity – though punished in the short term—can prevail in the long run.
Character, Integrity matter
Steve’s story is not about politics. It is about character. It is about a man who risked his career, reputation, and livelihood to live up to the oath he swore when he joined the Bureau. And it is about a family that stood with him through it all.
I am grateful to have shared Steve’s journey on The Mentors Radio and to now close the loop with this important update: courage has been recognized, integrity has been restored, and Steve Friend, a proud son of Notre Dame, is once again serving as an FBI Special Agent.
Listen to the interview with Steve Friend:
👉 You can listen to my original interview with Steve here: https://thementorsradio.com/courage-and-character-led-now-suspended-fbi-special-agent-steve-friend-to-become-latest-fbi-whistleblower-learn-his-why-on-the-mentors-radio/
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