May 3, 2018

The FBI's internal problems could lead to credibility issues

Axios

The FBI seal on the J. Edgar Hoover building. Photo: Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images

In TIME's cover story, Eric Lichtblau reports on internal FBI problems that could jeopardize the agency’s credibility.

Why it matters: Many within the organization are concerned that credibility questions will threaten the cooperation of informants, police officials and allies overseas.

  • “FBI retaliation against internal whistle-blowers ... Missed opportunities to prevent mass shootings ... an anguishing delay in the sexual-molestation probe into Olympic gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar."
  • "And then there’s potentially the widest-reaching failure of all: the FBI’s miss of the Russian influence operation against the 2016 election, which went largely undetected for more than two years.”
  • On a soon-to-be-released report by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz: "That year-long probe ... is expected to come down particularly hard on former FBI director James Comey" for his handling of the Clinton emails.
Courtesy TIME

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