"I look forward to seeing the proposal for re-organizing the FBI. It's a step in the right direction. The FBI clearly isn't working at peak effectiveness. As with any re-organization, the devil will be in the details. I hope for new accountability measures, not just structural changes. Structural changes alone won't alter the prevailing culture of arrogance at the FBI. Ending that culture will require real, concrete measures of improvement. For example, the changes must include a new willingness to share information with local law enforcement, and a mechanism to ensure the bureau actually is doing so. Like any other public agency, the FBI has to answer for its actions. It's also important for the FBI to re-focus its energies to become more effective, as I've discussed with Director Mueller."
Sen. Grassley's Oct. 23 letter to FBI Director Robert Mueller on agency priorities follows.
October 23, 2001
The Honorable Robert Mueller
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D.C.
Dear Director Mueller:
For several years now, I have drawn attention to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) encroachment into areas properly belonging to other federal law enforcement agencies. This PacMan-like activity ? gobbling up the responsibilities of other law enforcement agencies ? has resulted in a broadening of the FBI's scope of responsibility and consequently has weakened its effectiveness in its primary role. This PacMan mentality dilutes FBI resources and keeps the FBI from focusing on the work they do best, fighting complex white collar crime and terrorism. It is for this reason that I have long advocated cutting back on the number of crimes that the FBI has the primary responsibility for investigating. I would note that the FBI is not solely to blame for this vast expansion of FBI authority, Congress also has been eager to expand FBI authority.
As you may recall, I raised this concern of the FBI being overextended in my meeting with you prior to your confirmation as Director of the FBI. I am encouraged that you have decided to limit the FBI's investigatory scope and hopefully make it game over for the PacMan at the FBI. This is a good step in efforts to end the culture of arrogance at the FBI that has concerned me ? I commend you for this effort. In light of recent events and realities they present, the FBI should focus on investigating federal terrorism crimes and either end or scale back its involvement in a wide array of crimes.
It is my hope that by curtailing and ending certain FBI activities, you will also send a positive signal in dealing with other federal, state and local law enforcement agencies on the war on terrorism and other issues. This reorganization of agency resources should go hand in hand with a comprehensive plan to coordinate the efforts of your partners in state, local and federal law enforcement. Certainly the events of September 11th and its aftermath have shown that the entire law enforcement community need to be full partners in the war on terrorism ? and that the sharing of information is vital.
Because of my long-standing interest in addressing this problem at the FBI, I would appreciate it if you would send me the details of your plan to refocus the resources of the FBI on investigating federal terrorism crimes. I would like to know what specific areas the FBI will either end or scale back. Further, in conjunction with those decisions, I want to know what steps are being taken to ensure a smooth transition or transfer of these responsibilities to other federal law enforcement agencies and state and local government.
It is my view that as the FBI brings a stronger focus on terrorism and curtails involvement in other areas this will free up significant FBI resources. These newly-available resources should be the first source for the necessary manpower for the war on terrorism. It is only after the FBI has exhausted these current resources that Congress should entertain the possibility of increasing the FBI's resources.
Thank you for your time and assistance on this matter. I would ask for a response by December 3rd.
Cordially yours,
Charles E. Grassley
U.S. Senate
cc: The Honorable Thomas Ridge
Attorney General John Ashcroft