FBI Resources: The New Orleans Attack, a Failed Balance Between Politics and Public Safety

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is rightfully faces mounting criticism over its resource allocation, particularly its focus on high-profile political investigations at the expense of addressing domestic terrorism. This is underscored by contrasting the resources and attention given to political prosecutions -- like those of President-elect Donald Trump and New York Mayor Eric Adams, compared to the resources allocated to combatting the rising domestic terrorism threat. The New Year's Day New Orleans attack perpetrated by disgruntled Army veteran Shamsud-din Jabbar brought the issue to the forefront yet again.

Kash Patel, President-elect Trump's nominee to head the FBI, has repeatedly emphasized the need for a stronger focus on domestic terrorism — a position that President-elect Trump has endorsed. We should listen to them both.

New Orleans terrorist suspect, Staff Sgt. Shamsuddin B. Jabbar (Image courtesy US Army 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division)

The High Costs of Political Investigations

The FBI’s investigation into President Trump spans multiple allegations, including campaign finance violations, mishandling classified documents, and the January 6 Capitol attack. These probes have required extraordinary resources, involving special counsels, extensive fieldwork, legal consultations, and federal oversight. Conservative estimates suggest that millions of dollars in taxpayer funds have been expended across multiple jurisdictions, a point frequently criticized by President-elect Trump's allies.

Trump has argued that these investigations represent a "weaponization" of law enforcement against political opponents -- and that the FBI’s focus on such political activities has detracted from addressing more urgent public safety concerns, including domestic terrorism — a point echoed by Kash Patel.

Similarly, the FBI’s probe into Mayor Eric Adams and alleged campaign finance improprieties highlights the significant resources political investigations demand. Months of investigative work and millions in taxpayer-funded salaries for implicated employees illustrate the broader costs. Adams’ investigation raises concerns about resource diversion from more immediate threats like domestic terrorism.

The FBI's investigation into Mayor Eric Adams is an example of a political investigation that came at significant cost in terms of FBI resources. (Image courtesy NPR. Seth Wenig/AP)

Kash Patel’s Focus on Domestic Terrorism

Kash Patel, an outspoken critic of the FBI’s priorities, has argued that the agency’s focus on political investigations has left the nation vulnerable to domestic terrorism. Known for his commitment to counterterrorism, Patel called for enhanced intelligence-sharing and preemptive action to thwart radicalization and prevent attacks. Those priorities are aligned with Trump's longstanding position that U.S. law enforcement resources should be concentrated on combating terrorism, particularly threats posed by groups like ISIS including a robust approach to dismantling terrorist organizations and preventing their influence within the United States.

Kash Patel speaking at Turning Point (Image courtesy NY Times. John Locher/Associated Press)

The Cost of Neglect: Domestic Terrorism

The New Year's Day attack in New Orleans is a stark reminder of the risks posed by domestic terrorism. The chief suspect, Jabbar, exhibited clear warning signs of radicalization, including online support for ISIS and growingly erratic behavior. None of these warning signs were adequately addressed, highlighting a gap in the FBI’s ability to monitor and respond to such threats, especially with resources diverted to lengthy and complex political investigations. In 2023, the FBI handled over 1,200 domestic terrorism investigations on a paltry counterterrorism budget -- $13 million was allocated for domestic terrorism in FY 2024, a sum dwarfed by the resources required for investigations like those involving Trump and Adams.

The incoming administration’s critique -- expressed most recently by Kash Patel's public statements - underscores a critical question: How should the FBI allocate its resources to ensure both governmental accountability and public safety? Politically motivated investigations must never overshadow the urgent need to combat domestic terrorism - something the most recent attacks, alongside a tiny FBI domestic counter-terrorism budget, seems to suggest is already happening.

It's time to reverse that course and chart a new path to domestic safety.