Trump's appointment in Washington causes tension within the FBI

The increased FBI police presence in Washington, initiated by the US government under President Donald Trump, is causing internal tensions within the agency.

Nine current and former employees warn that the public deployment of agents and unmarked vehicles is jeopardizing their ability to work undercover.

Vehicles that are normally used to monitor drug gangs, foreign spies, or terrorists have now been “burned” due to their frequent public appearances.

The FBI rejects the allegations and emphasizes that the security measures are appropriate. However, critics warn that such an approach could undermine important investigations in a city full of foreign actors such as Washington, D.C.

Some agents are calling for license plates to be replaced and new vehicles to be leased.

Experts point out that undercover work is the FBI's most important weapon in the fight against organized crime. An example from Mexico, where a hacker working for the Sinaloa cartel identified an agent, shows that these fears are not just hypothetical.

(reuters, lup)