Shutdown Day 32: FBI Agents Claim Investigations Stalled, Trump May Turn State of the Union Into a Rally
As the shutdown moves past day 32, FBI agents are dealing with stalled investigation caused by lack of funding and Donald Trump is reportedly planning on turning the State of the Union into a campaign rally, after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) canceled the president’s yearly Congressional address.
Per NBC News, a report was compiled detailing accounts from FBI agents on how the shutdown has impacted their work, as the agency’s 35,000 employees are set to miss a second paycheck this week.
“I currently investigate a particularly violent street gang,” one agent, who went unnamed, wrote in the report. “I have had to tell our local law enforcement partners that I cannot assist in funding these operations because my field office does not have money. This means that the one chance we may have to take down several violent individuals may pass us by and we may not get the chance again.”
One agent who works on counterterrorism matters said the lack of funding has “eliminated any ability to operate,” writing: “It’s bad enough to work without pay, but we can only conduct administrative functions while doing it. The fear is, our enemies know they can run freely.”
A third agent said explained that “not being able to pay confidential human sources risks losing them and the information they provide forever.”
In executive branch news, CNN White House correspondent Jim Acosta reported a source has confirmed Trump is interested in delivering the State of the Union at a rally, in response to Pelosi’s snub.
Trump could deliver his State of the Union away from the Capitol and might even do a rally, senior official confirms. “Contingencies need to be planned,” official says.
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) January 22, 2019
[image via Scott Olson/Getty Images]
