A series of unprecedented legal actions, frequent internal memos from the acting FBI director, and growing apprehension among agents about potential terminations have created turmoil within the FBI, according to several current and former federal law enforcement officials familiar with the bureau’s operations.
The escalating tensions within the nation’s preeminent federal law enforcement agency stem from a recent request by the Trump administration for the identities of agents involved in investigations related to the Capitol riot. Despite assurances that the administration will assess agents’ actions before taking any punitive measures, the specter of widespread dismissals continues to loom large.
If a substantial number of agents engaged in the Jan. 6 inquiries, commonly known as the “1-6” investigations, are fired or disciplined by the new administration, it could have dire repercussions for the FBI, as outlined by the current and former officials.
National Security Implications:
Many of the agents involved in the Capitol riot investigations serve in the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division, which collaborates with various law enforcement entities to address terrorism threats domestically and internationally. The potential removal of a significant portion of these agents, estimated to exceed 4,000, could severely hamper the bureau’s ability to combat terrorism effectively, warn the officials.
Moreover, the fear of retribution against agents who participated in the Jan. 6 cases could undermine FBI operations beyond counterterrorism efforts. Agents from smaller field offices, for instance, were also involved in these investigations, and their dismissal might impact other crucial areas such as probing misconduct by local authorities and public figures.
Risk of Public Corruption:
The possibility of punitive actions against agents linked to the Jan. 6 probes raises concerns about the FBI’s willingness to investigate matters involving the previous administration. Officials speculate about the potential reluctance of FBI personnel to scrutinize individuals associated with former President Trump, drawing parallels to past cases like that of Paul Manafort.
Such apprehensions could deter agents from pursuing investigations involving high-profile political figures from either party, thereby jeopardizing the agency’s independence and effectiveness in combating corruption.
In summary, the unresolved tension within the FBI underscores the challenges posed by the ongoing inquiries into the Capitol riot and raises significant implications for national security and public integrity.
The payback pendulum may swing both ways, according to FBI personnel, concerning them. A former FBI official, who chose to remain anonymous due to concerns about reprisals, foresees a lasting impact from the ongoing investigation of Jan. 6 agents. Emphasizing the chilling effect, the former official highlighted its prolonged influence, stating, “You’re putting everyone on notice. They’re saying, ‘We’re watching you.’”
Furthermore, current and former officials assert that firing agents could jeopardize efforts to retain seasoned agents and attract new ones. Dismissed agents involved in Jan. 6 cases may find it challenging to secure employment with other federal law enforcement agencies, the officials note. If they do manage to find roles in local police departments, it is likely to be at reduced pay and with inferior retirement benefits.
The officials underscore the immediate economic repercussions on agents’ families, noting that given agents’ long working hours and extensive time away from home, they often serve as the primary breadwinners.
Surprising to agents is the realization that many had high hopes for positive change with the new administration, claim both current and former officials. Expectations included structural and managerial improvements within the FBI under a new director. They anticipated a surge in field agents from the Washington headquarters and the adoption of much-needed new technology, as relayed by numerous officials to NBC News.
In a somewhat unexpected turn of events amid rumors of mass layoffs unsettling the workforce, acting FBI Director Brian Driscoll Jr. has emerged as a commendable figure. A career agent and head of the FBI’s Newark, New Jersey field office, Driscoll has earned praise for resisting directives from Trump appointees to terminate agents.
Driscoll’s staunch opposition to such orders at times led to concerns among current and former agents that he might face removal himself. In a video released on Tuesday, Driscoll championed the FBI’s recent achievements, highlighting the arrests of two individuals on the Most Wanted Fugitives list and the bureau’s involvement in investigating plane crashes in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
“We will never take our eyes off of our mission, protecting the American people and upholding the Constitution,” Driscoll affirmed in the video. Agents attribute Driscoll with thwarting mass firings, at least for the time being, according to current and former officials, who are cognizant that the Trump administration retains the power to dismiss him at any moment.
