Bush Using FBI As A Foreign Intelligence Organization

At first glance it appears that very few U.S. laws directly limit the Bureau’s collection of foreign intelligence. Bush Using FBI As A Foreign Intelligence OrganizationBy Cliff Montgomery – Apr. 10th, 2008The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began to gather foreign intelligence for the Bush Administration as early as 2006, according to recently released FBI budget data. The documents further indicate that such intelligence collection has only increased since that time.”In May 2006, the Director of the Office of National Intelligence tasked the FBI to use its collection authorities, consistent with applicable laws and protection of civil liberties, to collect FI [foreign intelligence] information against the National Intelligence Priorities Framework and pursuant to the National HUMINT Collection Directives,” states the Bureau’s thorough congressional budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.The request verifies that before 2006, “there were no concerted efforts to collect FI exclusively, nor did the FBI have an investigative program that solely focused intelligence collection activities on FI.”But today, the Bureau is “the primary or supporting collector on ninety-eight (98) national intelligence topics that implement the [National Intelligence Priorities Framework],” adds the budget request.Practically all foreign intelligence amassed by the Bureau is collected from undisclosed human sources. The FBI requests $3.2 million for further recruitment of these sources, or “approximately $16,000 per Agent for 200 Agents.”We should add here another interesting fact: The Bureau’s Counterterrorism Division ‘validated’– or checked the trustworthiness of–only 60% of these ‘confidential human sources’ in FY 2007. This certainly was better than the appalling 0% for 2006, but it is a noticeable improvement.So what does it matter if the FBI becomes a major collector of foreign intelligence? The historical purpose of the Bureau has been “to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners,” according to its mission statement.The Bureau’s central responsibilities–not to mention most of the laws limiting its actions–previously had dealt with its role as the national police force for the United States. In the off-chance that FBI agents had gathered foreign intelligence, it usually had been for the purpose of collecting evidence for a domestic criminal case.But the Bush Administration has given a new purpose to the FBI: It now also works “to protect and defend the United States against terrorism and foreign intelligence threats,” adds the statement.And at first glance it appears that very few U.S. laws directly limit the Bureau’s collection of foreign intelligence for other purposes than a use in domestic criminal cases.If this is true, one may only imagine what mischief our would-be masters in this White House are performing through the Bureau in the name of combating “terrorism and foreign intelligence threats.”One thing is certain: This is a legal question which must be answered. will continue to investigate this matter in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!