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In an interview with NBC News, FBI Director Christopher Wray said the Bureau currently has more than 3,000 open terrorism investigations nationwide, all of which are full-field cases that range from suspected ISIS threats to homegrown extremism.
Why it matters: Per NBC News, this is a higher number than previously disclosed. "This is in big cities and small towns," Wray said. "It's a real problem."
Other highlights:
- On the FBI's reputation: "What I have seen is people fiercely focused on trying to do the right thing in the right way, free from political influence, consistent with the best traditions that I've always revered about the FBI. At the end of the day, we're going to get criticized no matter what."
- On failing to follow up on Nikolas Cruz: "We were worried, would people suddenly not want to call in? If anything, we've seen exactly the opposite — a sharp uptick [in tips.] It's been quite significant."
- On foreign espionage: Wray said that China is consistently going after U.S. targets to obtain trade secrets. "To be clear, we do not open investigations based on race, or ethnicity, or national origin. But when we open investigations into economic espionage, time and time again, they keep leading back to China."