The Threat

Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity – these words are more than just a motto for the FBI. They are promises that have been tested by terror, crime, and even the words of a sitting president.

1. The Day That Changed the FBI Forever: 9/11

The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks caused an immediate and permanent shift in the FBI’s mission and methods. Before 9/11, the FBI balanced crime and terrorism investigations, focusing largely on crimes like organized crime and drug trafficking. The attacks, however, propelled counterterrorism to the forefront of their priorities.

Following 9/11, the FBI reallocated massive resources toward counterterrorism efforts. The Bureau expanded its Counterterrorism Division, growing from just two units – the Osama bin Laden Unit and the Radical Fundamentalist Unit – to dozens focused on varied aspects such as terrorist financing and weapons of mass destruction. They shifted from reactive investigations to proactive measures designed to anticipate and foil terrorist activities.

Internally, the attacks unified a previously fragmented workforce, fostering cooperation among divisions. Agents from all branches came together under a single, urgent cause: protecting America from further attacks. This unity reflected a cultural reset, setting the tone for the Bureau's evolution in the years to come.

Examples

• The reorganization of the Counterterrorism Division post-9/11.
• A sharp increase in funding for terrorism prevention efforts.
• Collaboration between previously rival divisions like criminal and counterterrorism units.

2. Enterprise Theory: Investigating Networks, Not Just Individuals

The FBI recognizes that large, organized groups—whether crime syndicates or terrorist networks—are often more dangerous than individuals. To combat these collective threats, the Bureau employs enterprise theory, a technique that emphasizes dismantling entire organizations rather than focusing solely on lone suspects.

Enterprise theory requires agents to first prove the existence of a criminal enterprise, often by tracing the interconnections between members through evidence like photographs or communication records. The next step involves demonstrating that suspects have committed multiple offenses on behalf of the group. To gather this evidence, agents utilize undercover operatives and informants who provide firsthand knowledge of the group's activities.

This approach was instrumental in breaking down entrenched Mafia families in the 1970s and 1980s. Today, it’s heavily used in counterterrorism investigations to build cases against complex networks.

Examples

• FBI informants providing critical evidence about organized crime families.
• The use of undercover employees to infiltrate terrorist cells.
• Prosecution of gang members for collective, network-linked crimes rather than isolated acts.

3. From Blankets to Lances: The Shift from Muscling to Targeting

In the early 2000s, the FBI often relied on muscling techniques—investigative strategies that involved exhausting every lead, no matter how small. This method consumed enormous agency resources and frequently led to dead ends.

In contrast, today’s investigators use targeting, a precise approach that screens and prioritizes information. Sophisticated data analysis methods help agents narrow their focus to the highest-yield leads. A targeted investigation, for example, identifies suspects by analyzing databases of known associates and familial ties instead of chasing every vague connection.

This shift reflects how the FBI has streamlined its processes and technology. Targeting not only saves time and resources but also minimizes unnecessary disruptions to innocent people being investigated.

Examples

• Transitioning from exhaustive searches of California for suspects to using databases of known terrorist affiliates.
• Relying on AI and machine learning tools to comb vast amounts of data efficiently.
• Narrowing surveillance to probable suspects identified through online and social network analysis.

4. The Humanization of Interrogation Methods

In stark contrast to the controversial methods used during the early “war on terror,” the FBI now follows strict guidelines for humane interrogation. Responding to global outrage over abuses at Guantànamo Bay, President Obama established the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group (HIG) in 2009.

This initiative emphasized legal and ethical interrogation methods—only questioning techniques outlined in the FBI's existing rules or the US Army Field Manual could be employed. Additionally, detainees were categorized as either predesignated (high-profile figures) or pop-up targets (emerging suspects identified due to specific actions).

This systematic and humane approach not only reformed interrogation practices but also aimed to restore the United States' global image as a champion of human rights.

Examples

• The HIG's strict adherence to the US Army Field Manual.
• Treating Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the “Underwear Bomber,” as a one-time pop-up target.
• Combining FBI, CIA, and Defense Department efforts to create standardized protocols.

5. Not All Investigations Are Created Equal

FBI investigations are highly regulated and fall into one of three categories: assessments, preliminary investigations, or full investigations. These categories determine what tools agents can use and what evidence they’re allowed to collect.

Assessments, the least invasive category, involve reviewing public or existing government records and interviewing non-target individuals. Preliminary investigations require stronger grounds for suspicion and allow access to account records, though not the content of electronic communications. Full investigations, reserved for the most serious cases, require concrete evidence and judicially authorized search warrants.

This tiered system ensures investigations don’t infringe unnecessarily on citizens’ privacy or liberties while equipping agents with the tools they need to protect national security.

Examples

• Anonymous tips leading to basic assessments of potential wrongdoers.
• Preliminary investigations allowing FBI access to phone records during crime probes.
• Full investigations requiring court-approved home searches and electronic surveillance.

6. A Presidency’s Threat to the Bureau’s Independence

Under President Donald Trump, the FBI faced an unprecedented challenge: interference from the nation’s highest office. Trump’s repeated attempts to undermine ongoing investigations, such as the Russia probe, threatened the Bureau’s independent functioning.

Trump often dismissed the FBI as part of the Washington "Swamp," claiming its investigations were politically motivated. Perhaps most damaging was his public reaction to the Russia investigation into 2016 election interference. By frequently denouncing it as a “witch hunt,” he compromised trust in the Bureau’s fairness and autonomy.

Such behavior from the President not only tarnished institutional integrity but also set a dangerous precedent whereby leaders might attempt to shape justice in their favor.

Examples

• Trump’s interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin overriding FBI intelligence on North Korea’s missile program.
• Efforts to gain personal assurances from then-FBI Director James Comey on the Russia probe.
• Public condemnation of the Russia investigation potentially swaying judges or jurors.

7. The FBI Learns from Its Past

The FBI’s shift from traditional crimefighting to counterterrorism highlighted its ability to constantly adapt. After 9/11, the Bureau honed its proactive strategies, refined its use of intelligence analysis, and embraced technology to address emerging threats.

The growth of cybersecurity divisions and partnerships with private tech firms demonstrates its flexibility. Likewise, revising interrogation protocols after Guantànamo reflects its willingness to respond to criticism and reform.

The FBI’s capacity to evolve shows that even an entrenched organization must grow and innovate to meet modern challenges.

Examples

• Post-9/11 creation of units like the Cyber Crimes Division.
• Establishing checks against human rights violations in interrogations.
• Embracing social media analysis to track terrorist activity.

8. The Role of Cooperation Across Agencies

Since 9/11, cooperation between different law enforcement and intelligence bodies has become central to FBI efforts. Collaborative groups like the HIG show how pooling resources from the FBI, CIA, and Defense Department can multiply their impact.

Similarly, task forces with local police and international cooperation have helped the FBI extend its law enforcement capabilities globally. This teamwork allows them to quickly respond to emerging threats and share crucial information.

The aftermath of the 9/11 attacks demonstrated the need for sharp coordination to prevent critical intelligence gaps.

Examples

• Joint FBI and CIA operations in counterterrorism.
• International partnerships to extradite criminals like drug lords.
• State-level integration of FBI task forces with local police departments.

9. Standing Tall Against New Challenges

The FBI has faced organized crime, drug lords, and terrorists. Yet, internal threats posed by political pressures represent a new kind of battlefield. Maintaining independence and upholding justice requires resilience amid public skepticism and governmental meddling.

The Bureau’s dedication to its core values—fidelity, bravery, integrity—stands as a testament to its mission. Its history shows a capacity to evolve while protecting democracy, even during its toughest trials.

Examples

• Efforts to investigate Russian interference despite political distractions.
• The FBI holding firm against attempts by leaders to misuse the system.
• Agents continuing to take on challenging cases with professionalism.

Takeaways

1. Protect your organization’s independence by setting clear boundaries between policy influence and operational work.
2. Use data-driven, precise approaches to solve complex challenges, especially when resources are limited.
3. Adapt and grow by learning from failures and criticisms—change is key to enduring success.