As tensions escalate between the United States and Iran, former senior officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI have raised alarms about a significant decrease in staffing within critical national security units.
They warn that this ‘brain drain’ could severely hinder efforts to thwart potential retaliatory attacks from Tehran.
Recent disclosures reveal that staffing within the DOJ’s National Security Division’s Law and Policy section has plummeted by as much as two-thirds.
The counterintelligence and export control section, a unit responsible for monitoring foreign espionage threats from nations like Iran, has lost nearly a third of its workforce.
A former senior FBI official confirmed the departure of at least 20 national security personnel in just the past three months.
“The senior ranks of the FBI and DOJ’s national security teams have been decimated,” said one anonymous former DOJ official.
They expressed concerns that the current state of disconnect within these agencies leaves them ill-prepared to tackle potential crises, especially in light of recent military strikes involving Iran.
Incremental increases in U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran have heightened fears of retaliation, emphasizing the urgency of a robust national security framework to preempt possible attacks.
One former senior DOJ official emphasized that the National Security Division was established to ensure comprehensive oversight of the threat landscape, declaring that its work has never been more paramount.
The recent staffing changes are underscored by the upheaval that began following President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.
Many top officials from the DOJ and FBI, particularly those involved in investigations tied to Trump or the January 6 Capitol riots, were reportedly dismissed or reassigned.
In total, four senior officials from the National Security Division, boasting nearly a century of combined experience, were removed from their posts.
One former head of a counterintelligence section, David Laufman, expressed profound concern about the need for the FBI to allocate maximum counterterrorism resources to address threats posed by Iran.
He hoped that the recent turmoil and personnel losses would not impede the agency’s counterterrorism efforts.
Responding to such apprehensions, spokespersons from both the DOJ and the FBI have attempted to reassure the public of their ongoing commitment to national security.
A DOJ spokesman highlighted that the National Security Division continues to handle investigations into both foreign and domestic terrorism, noting recent actions in cases of threats against lawmakers and a fertility center.
“The National Security Division is staffed with dedicated and talented personnel who continue to provide significant support to a wide range of important cases in order to make America safe again,” Chad Gilmartin said in a statement.
The FBI reiterated its dedication to counterterrorism efforts, claiming that it continuously assesses the evolving threat landscape to allocate resources efficiently.
However, one former senior FBI official raised concerns that the reduction in counterterrorism resources has compromised the bureau’s readiness to address potential retaliatory actions by Iran.
This individual noted an alarming reassignment of resources away from national security matters towards immigration enforcement, further stressing how these shifts compromise the bureau’s capacity during a period of heightened threats.
“We hope the Bureau will now refocus resources on the threat from Iran,” this official stated, underscoring the urgent need for a strategic pivot within the agency.
Insider reports from former FBI officials reveal rampant leadership turnover coupled with a concerning trend of experienced personnel departing the counterterrorism division.
The situation has become increasingly fraught, with one senior FBI official lamenting a significant brain drain in the executive ranks, with many seasoned leaders choosing to leave.
Robert Wells, the FBI’s national security branch leader, was notably ousted shortly after the Trump administration began, along with David Scott, who previously served as the bureau’s counterterrorism chief, who exited in May.
In a further sign of morale challenges, some FBI agents have been redirected to less critical tasks, such as document redactions tied to the Epstein case, which many officials believe detracts from essential counterterrorism work.
“The work environment has prompted many to consider leaving,” another former FBI official remarked, highlighting a significant void in leadership and expertise within the agency.
The reorientation of agency priorities, some critics argue, has shifted focus away from pressing national security threats.
Concerns are mounting over the rapidly evolving nature of both foreign and domestic threats, which could emerge from both organized groups and individual extremists.
Recent incidents of lone-wolf attacks, such as the murder of a Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota, illustrate the potential fallout if necessary precautions are not taken.
One former FBI official emphasized frustration with what they perceive as a disproportionate focus on issues like China and Russia, while the ever-looming question of domestic terrorism remains on the back burner.
In light of these challenges, former DOJ officials highlighted that recent staff increases within the NSD’s counterintelligence section were aimed at bolstering efforts against espionage from nations such as China, Russia, and Iran, as well as addressing concerns around Russian sanctions after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The reduction in personnel, however, is seen as deeply problematic.
Laufman agreed, stating, “Losing a magnitude of experience to address terrorism and counterintelligence threats, both in leadership ranks and line personnel, puts America at greater risk.”
The DOJ spokesperson emphasized that the division’s new head, John Eisenberg, is in the process of hiring and expanding his team.
Additionally, they pointed out that the Domestic Terrorism Unit, launched under the Biden administration to tackle domestic threats, hasn’t faced similar cutbacks.
They positioned the collaborative nature of counterterrorism and immigration cases as advantageous, suggesting that threats are not inherently compartmentalized.
The tumultuous atmosphere within the DOJ was palpable shortly after Attorney General Pam Bondi took office.
On February 12, she expressed discontent during an encounter with the division’s staff, demanding they address the presence of portraits belonging to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their walls.
The acting head of the division, previously appointed by Trump, noted the removal of such portraits required action from maintenance staff.
Nonetheless, Bondi critiqued division staff in two separate Fox News interviews, implying disloyalty to Trump.
Following this confrontation, the acting head was demoted, which three former DOJ officials attributed to the controversial atmosphere fueled by the administration’s priorities.
Such moves have been criticized by former officials as short-sighted—endangering national security by disrupting the institutional experience and credibility of the National Security Division.
With escalating threats from Iran and the continuous evolution of the domestic and international terrorism landscape, the implications of this staffing crisis could resonate far beyond the halls of the DOJ and FBI, calling into question the United States’ readiness to confront emerging risks and protect its citizens.
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