Patel gutted FBI counterintelligence team tasked with tracking Iranian threats

11 hours ago

FBI Director Kash Patel fired a dozen agents from the CI-12 counterintelligence unit due to their involvement in investigating Trump's alleged retention of classified documents.
The dismissals have raised concerns about the FBI and Justice Department's ability to handle counterterrorism and intelligence investigations following military operations in Iran.
CI-12 was crucial in tracking Iranian threats, especially after the 2020 drone strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani.
Iranian-backed actors have been involved in assassination plots against US officials, including Trump, Pompeo, and Bolton.
The Justice Department's National Security Division has lost at least half of its employees, weakening its capacity to monitor threats.
Senior FBI officials overseeing counterintelligence and international terrorism efforts have been pushed out.
The dismantling of the National Security Division began early in the Trump administration, with key officials being demoted or reassigned.
The mass departures have led to distrust between career officials and political leaders, leaving the division 'completely gutted and undermined.'
Some employees have been sent into meetings without full case details, hampering their ability to contribute effectively.
Manpower was further strained by the review of Epstein files, diverting resources from national security tasks.

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