Last Updated on September 29, 2022
Dozens of former FBI agents have come out in support of an agent who was recently suspended after he spoke out publicly about the bureau’s extreme politicization and targeting of Trump supporters.
30 former agents, which include a head of counterterrorism, a retired deputy assistant director, and five SWAT agents voiced their support for FBI whistleblower Stephen Friend.
The New York Post received a variety of messages from the agents backing Friend.
“It’s time to stop the FBI from being the enforcer of a political party’s ideology. We need to re-establish the FBI as the apolitical and independent law enforcement entity that it always was,” retired agent, Ernie Tibaldi told the Post.
Tibaldi praised Friend “for having the courage to stand up to the corruption that has taken over the leadership of the FBI.”
Other agents described Friend to be a “hero” for speaking out against the Bureau’s mistreatment of January 6th participants.
The former deputy assistant director of Counterterrorism, Terry Turchie, called Friend “a model example of what FBI agents nationwide should be.”
“Moral courage, leadership in the face of pressure, and true to the Oath of Office FBI agents take to defend the United States Constitution and protect America and its citizens. I am beyond proud to offer him my support in the decisions he had to make,” Turchie added.
Turchie mentioned how he led the task force which arrested the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, in 1996.
Despite Kaczynski being a true domestic terrorist who injured 23 people and killed three, Turchie did not even order a SWAT team to arrest Kaczynski.
“No real FBI agent would defend the position of using SWAT teams to arrest non-violent senior citizens and others with political opinions not currently tolerated by this administration, compounded by the idea that many of these cases involve misdemeanor criminal charges. This activity actually generates tension in communities and increases the potential for tragic results and injuries to FBI agents and citizens,” Turchie explained to the Post.
“The current use — or should I say abuse — of bureau SWAT teams has been outrageous,” 25-year SWAT veteran, David Baldovin commented.
“When I see the FBI using extreme SWAT tactics on elderly and other citizens who pose no physical threat, it makes me sick. It has to be purely political,” another 20-year SWAT veteran, Bob Fricke, echoed Baldovin’s comments.
“I believe Special Agent Friend is an American hero. He is a shining example of what I attempt to inculcate in my students, honor above self. Our founding fathers wanted people of high moral character to serve the American people. It is good to know that people such as Special Agent Friend still exist. May God protect him and his family,” Fricke added.
As National File previously reported:
A 12-year veteran of the FBI issued a damning complaint with the Department of Justice inspector general that alleged the bureau is exaggerating the threat of domestic terrorism and is pushing an “overzealous” investigation into the January 6th protest in an attempt to harass Trump supporters.
FBI special agent Steve Friend was suspended on Monday and escorted out of the FBI’s Daytona Beach office after he complained to his superiors about the politicization of the bureau.
Friend boldly refused to take part in FBI-led SWAT raids against Jan. 6th participants last month because he claimed they were excessive usage of force against individuals who were merely charged with misdemeanors.
The bureau was planning to raid a January 6th subject in the Jacksonville, FL area but Friend spoke up. “I have an oath to uphold the Constitution. I have a moral objection and want to be considered a conscientious objector,” the 12-year veteran told his supervisors.
READ MORE: FBI Whistleblower Claims Bureau Exaggerated Domestic Terrorism Threat, Harassed Jan. 6th Trump Supporters
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.
