As the Trump Administration prepares to take office in January, it appears increasingly likely that Christopher Wray will be replaced by a new FBI Director. The FBI has faced criticism the past several years, controversy that has shaken the confidence of the American people in the institution.
For much of its history, the FBI has been a model for law enforcement worldwide. The FBI was never perfect, but it was an organization deeply committed to its mission: to investigate and tackle the most dangerous criminal threats to the country without political interference.
In looking ahead to a new era of leadership, it’s vital not to throw out the entire legacy of the FBI despite his flaws. The framework established for the Bureau remains valuable. Yes, the times have changed, but the need for a professional, apolitical, and ethical law enforcement agency remains important today.
When I entered the Bureau in 1970, the FBI was a “we” organization. It was a close-knit institution of men and women who were committed to the mission of saving America regardless of political affiliation. We worked together to address the most significant threats to the country. It didn’t matter if the issues were on the right or left of the political spectrum. We were united in our mission to pursue justice without fear or favor.
We were taught one cardinal rule: never embarrass the Bureau. This wasn’t just a professional guideline; it was a way of life. We were instilled with the importance of integrity in our professional conduct and in our personal lives. Violations were dealt with swiftly and with finality. Those who couldn’t live up to the Bureau’s standards were dismissed, and, in some cases, became the ones who wrote books and cashed in on their failures.
But the culture began to shift over time. As Directors started bringing in individuals from outside the Bureau to fill sensitive leadership positions, the institution’s traditional culture was diluted. Many of these outsiders were highly skilled professionals, but they lacked the inherent understanding of what made the FBI a successful, apolitical institution. Worse yet, some were political appointees who, instead of following the Bureau’s nonpartisan mission, catered to the shifting political tides of the day.
The most significant erosion of the Bureau’s integrity came after Director Mueller took office in 2001. During his tenure, and under subsequent Directors, the influence of outside political forces grew. As political considerations began to seep into the daily operations of the FBI, we saw people promoted who were more concerned about political optics than upholding the agency’s core mission.
The FBI can be saved. But to do so, it needs to root out the influence of politics in the organization and return to the values that made it the greatest law enforcement agency in the world. The Bureau must return to its roots as an institution guided by professionalism, ethics, and a commitment to impartial justice. We need leadership that will prioritize what is right over what is politically expedient with personnel who possess common sense and a dedication to truth and justice.
If President Trump wants to select a new FBI Director, he should choose someone who has served in the Bureau, understands its culture, and has the leadership qualities to return the agency to its founding principles. The next Director should be a strong leader committed to upholding the FBI’s mission of impartial justice, free from political influence.
It is important that the President selects someone who will steer the Bureau back to its core values, avoiding the pitfalls that can arise from outsider perspectives. This is a rare opportunity to return the Bureau to the standards of integrity and professionalism that once defined it.