Watchdog asks DOJ IG to clarify plans on FBI whistleblower interview

A watchdog group has asked that the Department of Justice Inspector General correct reporting or otherwise clarify the status of a case involving an FBI whistleblower who has alleged the bureau manipulated crime statistics.

Empower Oversight President Tristan Leavitt wrote to Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz asking him to confirm that his office intends to interview Special Agent Steve Friend, who has expressed concerns over alleged FBI data manipulation and the use of SWAT teams.

"Without interviewing Friend or seeking any additional information from his counsel, DOJ OIG sent a December 2, 2022 form letter stating: 'After careful consideration and in view of the limited resources of the OIG, we have decided not to open an investigation of the allegations that you raise,'" the letter read. The DOJ IG had sought Friend's consent to refer his concerns to the FBI to address the matter, but did not address Friend's allegations of retaliation against him.

Leavitt acknowledged that the DOJ IG had clarified that it had not rejected his retaliation claims and asked for clarification that Horowitz's office still intends to interview Friend.

"Our understanding has been, and remains, that it is your office’s intent to interview Friend in order to obtain a more complete understanding of his allegations and fully assess both his underlying disclosures as well as his retaliation claims," Leavitt wrote. "Although that interview has not yet been scheduled, he is ready, willing, and eager to fully cooperate in any good faith, independent investigation."

Leavitt went on to note that major news outlets had reported on a "staff report" from Democratic lawmakers contending Horowitz's office had rejected Friend's claims.

"I write to confirm our understanding that their claim is false and that your office still intends to interview Friend," he continued, before pointing to excerpts from Washington Post and CNN articles stating that Friend's claims had been rejected.

"This suggests a disturbing situation in which your office's silence is allowing its reputation for neutrality and objectivity to be hijacked by partisans and their media allies to leave a false impression with the public—all in the service of undermining a whistleblower for political purposes," Leavitt wrote.

"We are aware of no communication from DOJ OIG ever indicating that it has closed Friend's retaliation claim," the letter continued. "If DOJ OIG had issued a final determination on Friend's reprisal claim, he would have a statutory right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.