PNN – The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is preparing to disband a team of experts charged with combating foreign threats against US elections, CNN reported.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, CNN announced this news on Thursday, quoting an informed official the shutdown of the FBI’s foreign influence task force and the planned transfer of team members follows a directive from new US Attorney General Pam Bundy to disband the team.
The US Attorney and Secretary of Justice announced in a note: To free up resources, address more urgent priorities, and end the risks associated with the instrumental use and abuse of prosecutorial authority, the Foreign Influence Task Force is being disbanded.
The task force was established by former FBI Director Christopher Wray in 2017 following a wave of foreign influence operations targeting the US election process, including Russia’s alleged efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election.
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The former FBI director said the team’s goal is to “identify and counter a broad range of subversive foreign influence operations that target our democratic institutions and values.”
The Trump administration has begun a sweeping round of layoffs at the Justice Department, and the main focus appears to be on FBI agents and others involved in cases related to the January 6, 2021 attack by Trump supporters on the US Capitol.
A group of US Federal Police officers warned that a shake-up in this institution may lead to the dismissal of hundreds of people. The new administration has already fired more than 10 prosecutors who were involved in the 2 cases of special counsel Jack Smith against Trump.
According to Reuters, Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove asked the top federal prosecutors in each state to provide a list of all prosecutors and FBI agents involved in the congressional riot investigation.
The FBI has also been ordered to provide a list of all employees involved in the Justice Department’s 2024 criminal case against Hamas leaders and the two Smith cases against Trump. In addition, eight FBI officials have been ordered to choose between resignation and dismissal.
According to Reuters, at least 6 senior FBI officials in the major cities of Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Washington, New Orleans and Las Vegas have received this order. Previously, five senior officials at the FBI headquarters had received this order.