As US law enforcement launched a successful operation culminating in the apprehension of a reputed leader of the MS-13 gang, Kash Patel was present to report the case, asserting it as a stride forward in reinstating ‘our communities to safety.’ A short time later, the US Justice Department announced a record seizure of illegal narcotics worth $510 million bound for the U.S. The FBI director, among other law enforcement chiefs, exhibited the seized contrabands publicly in Florida, reinforcing the bureau’s devotion to combat violent crime, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. Recently, these issues have surged up the law enforcement agenda, leading to a reassessment of mission and priorities amid burgeoning national security threats from overseas.
The FBI’s recently adjusted priority list now displays “Crush Violent Crime” at its forefront, aligning the organization with the objectives of President Donald Trump, who has anchored his administration’s agenda on curbing illegal immigration, cartels, and transnational criminal gangs. Patel maintains that the bureau is committed to ‘return to the basics’ while staying attentive to persistent issues, including the one posed by China, which has gripped international attention recently. The FBI clarified in a statement that its responsibility toward investigating international and domestic terrorism remains intact.
The last few weeks have been marked by an alarming surge in violent events, underscoring the escalating threats that the agency now finds itself contending with. It’s apparent that the FBI is undergoing significant changes. The Justice Department has called for the disbandment of an FBI-led task force focused on foreign influence. Additionally, there are talks of dissolving a significant public corruption unit based at the bureau’s Washington office, according to sources close to The Associated Press.
Involving the FBI more deeply in areas like violent crime and immigration, traditionally the core mandate of agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has raised concerns among some who worry about diluting focus from complex criminal and national security issues. For these areas, the bureau is usually the primary, if not the only, entity responsible for the investigation.
Traditionally, enforcing immigration laws has mainly been the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who are in charge of managing illegal entries along the border, and Border Patrol agents who monitor entry points. However, since the Trump administration took office, the FBI has taken greater responsibility in this field, reporting over 10,000 immigration-related arrests. The bureau has begun deploying agents to oversee the safety of unaccompanied migrant children arriving from the US-Mexico border. Furthermore, FBI field offices have received instructions to devote resources to bolster immigration enforcement.
The bureau’s shifting of priorities in response to emerging threats is not unprecedented; there has been a continuous effort over the last two decades to counteract terrorism. Post the 9/11 attack, Director Robert Mueller transformed the FBI into a security-focused, intelligence-based agency. Many agents were reassigned from drug, violent crime, and white-collar crime investigations to counterterrorism missions. For instance, in the 2002 priority list, terrorism prevention topped the list, while combating violent crime was near the bottom.
The FBI’s updated priority list features ‘Crush Violent Crime’ and ‘Defend the Homeland’ side by side at its pinnacle, emphasising their dedication to both aspects. FBI leaders have also reassured that counter-terrorism remains the bureau’s cardinal mission. There are efforts underway to scrutinise subjects that have drawn significant attention in conservative quarters.
One of the chief national security concerns consistently addressed by Patel is the threat emanating from China, a matter he has admittedly argued for its continuity in the public discourse. In a recent interview, he acknowledged that concerns around China keep him awake at night. His predecessor, Wray, echoed the sentiment, labeling China the most serious long-term threat to national security. As Wray stepped down in January, the FBI was contending a Chinese espionage operation that compromised many Americans’ private communications.
The handling of foreign influence, like Russia’s efforts to meddle in US democracy, has also seen changes. An FBI led task force mandated with this issue was dissolved, while the Justice Department has been pulling back on the enforcement of the law that mandates registration for US lobbying on behalf of foreign entities.
The bureau’s shifting focus and priorities have raised concerns among retired officials like Frank Montoya, a former FBI supervisor and counterintelligence officer. Montoya argues that threats posed by fentanyl and drug cartels, while significant, do not equate to the ‘existential’ threats presented by states such as Russia and China. According to Montoya, the FBI’s vital role has always been to synchronize complex, interagency espionage operations.