The FBI
A critical look
Although many on this list are well aware of the past malfeasance of the FBI, given the scrutiny surrounding the FBI and President-elect Trump’s appointment for its leadership, it's fitting to reflect on the agency's history, which began in 1908 to investigate the anarchists responsible for President McKinley's assassination. Over the years, it has transformed into the agency we recognize today, prioritizing crime and national security concerns. Several uncritical reports on the FBI, plus three television programs promoting heroic activities of the agency, make it important to examine it closely.
As stated in the enclosed article by Douglas M. Charles of Pennsylvania State University: “Drama at the FBI is nothing new…Given its 109-year history, the FBI has seen many scandals…” We know very well the long tenure of J Edgar Hoover, who served from 1924 to 1972, who worked to support some presidents and against some others
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Even before that, the Bureau’s work was expanded by the 1910 passage of the White Slave Traffic Act, which banned transportation across state lines for “immoral purposes.” The vagueness of the law’s wording, however, led agents to assert their authority over their ideas on morality and the proper roles of women and men.
Now comes a report from a former agent for 25 years who writes about “…abuses of power, political bias, and violations of privacy and civil liberties…[and] surveillance activities that appear to target political views and religious beliefs.”
Not surprisingly, perhaps, but troubling nonetheless, but following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Bureau increased its focus on Muslim communities, “often equating religious practices with potential threats.” Whether this was intensified during the tenure of Donald Trump is not known, but entirely possible.
This raises significant doubts about the Bureau’s ability, or perhaps even the desire, to stand up to the possible – probable? – attempt to weaponize it under the next presidential administration. We may be for rough times.
Next up will be AI and the military. Also a bit frightening.
what do you think the FBI has been used for this last 4 years?
FBI often suspect in times of HUAC et alia peiora