The next month, he was named deputy director, the highest-ranking official under FBI Director Christopher Wray.
But sources close to the investigation have told NBC News that there have been some special agents in the country who have resisted Jan. 6 cases.
Many special agents have been very proactive, while others in various field offices have engaged in half-hearted investigative efforts and seem content to let things peter out, the sources said.
After receiving support from 30 former FBI special agents, Friend joined Trump’s Truth Social platform this week, where he was welcomed by Kyle Seraphin, another suspended FBI special agent who joined Truth Social and did an interview with conservative firebrand Dan Bongino after his suspension.
A tip the FBI received about the Proud Boys ahead of Jan. 6, highlighted by the committee, was even starker.