Does the FBI Serve America or Control It? The Truth About the FBI’s Political Influence & Power

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of the most powerful institutions in the United States, tasked with protecting national security and upholding federal laws. However, its role has often been scrutinized, leading to debates over its political influence, independence, and power struggles with the U.S. government.

Is the FBI a neutral enforcer of justice, or does it wield too much influence over politics and national policy? This article explores the FBI’s history, functions, and controversies, shedding light on whether it serves the American people or controls them.

What is the FBI? Understanding Its Role in the U.S. Government

The FBI’s role in government is unique: it is both a law enforcement agency and a domestic intelligence agency. Unlike local police or even the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the FBI focuses on federal crimes and counterintelligence operations within the U.S.

What Does the FBI Do?

Image by FBI Photo, titled “F.B.I.,” available at Wikimedia Commons under Public Domain.

The FBI’s responsibilities include:

✔ Investigating federal crimes (terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, public corruption)

✔ Counterintelligence (protecting against espionage & foreign influence)

✔ National security investigations (terrorism, election security, cyber threats)

✔ Public corruption enforcement (government fraud, bribery, election interference)

✔ Civil rights investigations (hate crimes, police misconduct, voter suppression)

Where Does the FBI Fit in the U.S. Government?

The FBI operates under the Department of Justice (DOJ) but has a level of independence from the White House. It does not report directly to the president but is supervised by multiple government bodies.

✔ Attorney General – Provides direct oversight of FBI investigations.

✔ Director of National Intelligence – Coordinates intelligence-sharing with other agencies.

✔ Congress – Reviews the FBI’s funding and major investigations.

This structure is designed to prevent political interference in FBI investigations—but in practice, conflicts between the FBI and the government have been frequent.

This structure is designed to prevent political interference in FBI investigations but in practice, conflicts between the FBI and the government have been frequent.

A Brief History of the FBI and Its Role in the USA

Why Was the FBI Created? (Origins in 1908)

The FBI was founded in 1908 under President Theodore Roosevelt and Attorney General Charles Bonaparte to combat interstate crimes that local police couldn’t handle. Initially a small investigative unit, it gained national importance under its longest-serving director, J. Edgar Hoover.

How Has the FBI’s Mission Evolved?

The FBI’s priorities have shifted over time to adapt to national security concerns:

✔ 1920s-1930s: Targeted gangsters and bootleggers during Prohibition.

✔ 1940s-1950s: Focused on Nazi spies and Cold War-era Soviet espionage.

✔ 1960s-1970s: Investigated civil rights activists and left-wing movements (often controversially).

✔ 1980s-1990s: Shifted to organized crime and drug cartels.

✔ Post-9/11 Era: Prioritized counterterrorism, cybercrime, and election security.

The FBI has always adapted to America’s evolving threats—but sometimes in ways that raised concerns about overreach and political influence. (FBI Historical Overview)

Major Events in FBI History: Defining Its Power & Controversies

1️⃣ COINTELPRO (1956-1971): The FBI’s Secret Political Surveillance

The Counterintelligence Program (COINTELPRO) was an FBI operation aimed at spying on political activists, civil rights leaders, and left-wing groups. It targeted:

✔ Martin Luther King Jr. (accused of communist ties)

✔ The Black Panther Party (monitored as a threat to national security)

✔ Anti-Vietnam War protesters (portrayed as Soviet sympathizers)

The program’s methods included illegal wiretaps, fake letters, and infiltration, leading to criticism that the FBI was interfering in politics rather than enforcing the law. (CSU Research)

2️⃣ Watergate (1972-1974): The FBI vs. the President

When the FBI investigated the Watergate scandal, President Richard Nixon tried to stop the bureau from uncovering White House involvement. FBI Director L. Patrick Gray was accused of destroying evidence, leading to a major crisis. Nixon’s resignation in 1974 showed that the FBI had the power to hold even the president accountable.

3️⃣ 9/11 and the War on Terror (2001-Present)

After the 9/11 attacks, the FBI became a counterterrorism powerhouse. The USA PATRIOT Act granted it expanded surveillance powers, but these were later criticized for violating civil liberties. The FBI also played a major role in investigating the Boston Marathon Bombing (2013) and domestic terrorist threats. (FBI National Security Overview)

How Much Political Influence Does the FBI Have?

The FBI’s political influence is undeniable. It has investigated sitting presidents, swayed elections, and influenced public perception through high-profile cases.

✔ Hillary Clinton’s Emails (2016) – The FBI’s last-minute reopening of the case may have impacted the election outcome.

✔ Trump-Russia Investigation (2017-2019) – Sparked deep partisan divides about whether the FBI was being used as a political weapon.

✔ January 6th Capitol Riot Investigation (2021-2023) – The FBI arrested over 1,000 individuals, fueling further debates about its impartiality.

“The FBI has increasingly been weaponized for political purposes, whether investigating political opponents, influencing elections, or selectively enforcing the law.” – Hillsdale Report

The question remains: Does the FBI act as a neutral law enforcement agency, or does it influence political outcomes?

FBI Oversight: Who Keeps the Bureau in Check?

To prevent abuse of power, the FBI is subject to several oversight mechanisms:

✔ Congressional Oversight – Reviews investigations and FBI funding.

✔ Department of Justice (DOJ) Supervision – The Attorney General sets FBI priorities.

✔ Inspector General Investigations – Conducts internal FBI audits.

Despite these measures, concerns remain about FBI accountability, particularly in politically charged cases. (UArk Study)

Does the FBI Serve or Control America?

The FBI’s power in American politics is undeniable. It has protected the country from crime and espionage, but also faced controversy for its involvement in political affairs.

✔ It holds politicians accountable, but has also been accused of bias and overreach.

✔ It investigates corruption, but some believe it has been weaponized for political purposes.

✔ Public trust in the FBI is deeply divided, with Republicans viewing it as a partisan enforcer and Democrats seeing it as a protector of democracy.

Ultimately, the FBI’s role will continue to evolve, but its political influence remains a contentious issue. The future will depend on whether it remains an impartial law enforcement agency or becomes an uncontrollable force in U.S. politics.

References:

• FBI. A Brief History
• Time. The FBI Has Always Been Political
• Columbus State University. FBI Investigations into the Civil Rights Movement and the New Left
• Imprimis. The Politicization of the FBI
• University of Arkansas. The Bureaucratic Politics of the Federal Bureau of Investigation