The Dangers of Defunding the FBI and CIA: How GOP Attacks Threaten National Security

 

It's no secret that Republicans in Congress are threatening to defund the FBI and CIA and are spreading false rumors of a deep state conspiracy within the U.S. intelligence community. But what may come as a surprise to some is just how detrimental these actions can be to America's national security, not just domestically but also in terms of foreign relations.

     I believe these attacks are undermining the FBI’s ability to investigate and prevent terrorist and cyber-attacks, as well as protecting our civil rights and civil liberties- in short, on the domestic front, protecting the national security of the United States is in jeopardy.

     Similarly, the CIA, as the main foreign intelligence agency of the United States, plays a vital role in gathering and analyzing intelligence to protect Americans from foreign threats. However, Republicans in Congress have sought to reduce its funding and authority, claiming that the CIA is plagued by political bias and corruption. 

In the spy thriller MISSION OF VENGEANCE, CIA operative Corey Pearson battles Russian disinformation that undermines America’s presence in the Caribbean.

    There are nine Republican members of Congress that are particularly culpable for undermining the integrity and effectiveness of the U.S. intelligence community:

1.   Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) has been a vocal critic of the FBI and CIA, particularly in relation to the Russia investigation. In a 2018 interview with Fox News, he said: "The FBI and the CIA continue to use the dirty dossier in order to spy on President Trump's campaign."

2.   Another guilty member of Congress is Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who has called for the FBI's budget to be cut and has criticized the agency for its surveillance practices. In a 2018 tweet, he said: "The FBI has become a political weapon, and it's time to take away its power to abuse our rights."

3.   Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) has also been a vocal critic of the FBI and has called for major reforms to the agency. In a 2018 interview with Fox News, he said: "The FBI has become a rogue agency that is more interested in protecting its own reputation than upholding the rule of law."

4.      Then there’s Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) who now chairs the House Judiciary Committee and is also a member of the House Intelligence Committee. He blasted both the FBI and CIA, particularly in relation to the Russia investigation. In 2018, he said: "The FBI and CIA were weaponized against the President and his campaign, and they still haven't been held accountable."

5.   Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has also been a vocal critic of the FBI and CIA, and has called for the agencies to be restructured. In a 2018 tweet, he said: "The FBI and CIA have become rogue agencies that are more interested in protecting their own power than upholding the rule of law."

6.   Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has been a vocal critic of the FBI's handling of the Russia investigation. In a 2019 statement, he said "The FBI's handling of the Russia investigation shows a clear bias against the President and his campaign."

7.   Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has criticized the FBI's surveillance practices and wants to slash its budget. In a 2018 interview, he said "The FBI's surveillance practices are a violation of citizens' privacy rights, and their budget should be reduced to limit their power."

8.   Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) has been a vocal critic of the FBI and has called for reforms to the agency. In a 2019 statement, he said "The FBI needs major reforms to address the political bias and corruption within the agency."

9.   Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has been critical of the FBI's handling of national security matters. In a 2018 interview, he said "The FBI's handling of national security matters shows a lack of competence and a need for oversight." 

     These GOP accusations have been widely discredited and are not supported by evidence. Little wonder why national security experts and intelligence officials warn that their attacks undermine the integrity of U.S. intelligence agencies and harm America's ability to protect itself from domestic and foreign threats. Additionally, their assaults affect America’s heretofore healthy relationships with allies, who share intelligence and work with U.S. intelligence to combat global threats. 

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     This is why it's not just the domestic implications of these actions that should concern us. Russia, a known perpetrator of disinformation tactics, uses these GOP condemnations to spread false information and sow discord within other countries.

     For example, Russian intelligence latches on to the efforts by Republicans in Congress to defund the FBI and CIA and spread false rumors of a deep state conspiracy within the U.S. intelligence community and use it as evidence (“Straight from the horse’s mouth”) to spread disinformation about how democracy doesn't work, and that the U.S. government is corrupt and untrustworthy.

     This could further harm the United States' relationships with its allies and the international community's trust in the U.S. government's ability to protect its own citizens and combat threats to national security. It's time for us as citizens to become informed about these issues and advocate for the protection of U.S. intelligence agencies, recognizing the potential consequences not only domestically but also internationally. We cannot let politics get in the way of our national security. 

Robert Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.