The FBI’s Washington Field Office is set to dissolve its federal public corruption squad, as reported by three independent sources to NBC News.
This particular squad, it should be noted, is the same one that assisted special counsel Jack Smith during his investigation into President Donald Trump. Following the election, the criminal charges put forth by Smith were subsequently dropped.
According to reliable sources, the FBI special agents currently assigned to the squad will be reassigned. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, has voiced criticism regarding the work of the public corruption squad, citing its investigations as partisan.
Grassley stated, “My oversight has shown time and again how the FBI’s CR-15 unit was weaponized to execute one-sided political attacks, particularly against President Trump and his allies. It’s good news that it’s been shut down after I exposed the unit for its misconduct. Transparency brings accountability, and the FBI must ensure all records are preserved as my investigations continue.”
Reports indicate that FBI field offices have been increasing the number of agents assigned to immigration enforcement. The objective appears to have approximately 2,000 FBI agents across the nation working full time on immigration enforcement.
Turning now to the broader implications, this decision to dissolve the federal public corruption squad comes at a time when the Justice Department is also reducing its Public Integrity Section. This section, like the squad, has been responsible for investigating public corruption. The FBI has yet to provide a comment on this development.
A squad dedicated to federal public corruption is being dissolved amid broader cuts in related sections of the Justice Department. The significance of this should not be overlooked. The public’s right to information and the importance of accuracy and truth remain paramount as we continue to follow the story.
