A former FBI special agent has called for the agency to undergo significant changes, citing concerns over its ability to effectively investigate and prevent threats to national security.
In an op-ed published in The Hill, the agent, who was not named, wrote that the FBI has become too focused on domestic law enforcement and has lost sight of its primary mission: to protect the country from external threats.
The agent, who spent 25 years with the FBI, claimed that the agency has become mired in bureaucracy and is hampered by a lack of resources and inadequate training. He also criticized the FBI’s handling of high-profile cases, including the investigation into the 2016 election interference and the 2020 Capitol riot.
The agent called for the FBI to refocus its efforts on counterterrorism and counterintelligence, and to prioritize the investigation of foreign threats over domestic issues. He also suggested that the agency needs to improve its ability to share information with other agencies and to better coordinate with foreign intelligence services.
The agent’s comments come as the FBI is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of sensitive information and its response to national security threats. In recent years, the agency has been criticized for its handling of cases involving election interference, domestic terrorism, and foreign espionage.
The agent’s op-ed was published as the FBI is in the process of implementing a number of reforms aimed at improving its ability to investigate and prevent threats to national security. The reforms, which were announced in February, include the creation of a new counterterrorism division and the establishment of a national security threat assessment center.
Despite these efforts, the agent remains concerned about the FBI’s ability to effectively protect the country from external threats. He wrote that the agency needs to do more to improve its intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities, and to better coordinate with other agencies and foreign intelligence services.
The agent’s comments are likely to be met with criticism from some within the FBI and the intelligence community, who may view his criticism as overly harsh or unrealistic. However, his concerns are likely to resonate with many Americans who are concerned about the FBI’s ability to effectively protect the country from national security threats.