FBI, DHS Warn Threats Against Federal Law Enforcement, Employees on the Rise

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint advisory bulletin to federal law enforcement, courts, and government personnel noting a spike in threats to federal law enforcement officials following the execution of a search warrant at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Bulletin warns government personnel of an increase in threats on social media sites, web forums, video sharing platforms, and image boards. The five-page report calls on authorities to be vigilant and to be aware of issues surrounding domestic violent extremists, past and present incidents, and past behaviors.

Moreover, the joint FBI/DHS Bulleting also reported seeing personal information of law enforcement directly involved in the search as possible targets of violence. The Bulletin notes information such as home addresses and identifying family members may be additional targets of violence.

The Bulletin referenced an episode that occurred days after Trump’s home was searched on August 8, 2022, when Ricky Shiffer tried to breach the FBI's Cincinnati, Ohio field office. Shiffer was armed with an AR-15 style rifle and a nail gun. A standoff with law enforcement led to Shiffer's death after he fled the scene.

In response to the uptick in threats against federal law enforcement, stakeholders have voiced concern over the violence directed at federal employees.

The FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), an organization specifically dedicated to providing support and advocacy to active and former FBI Special Agents, is on high alert in the wake of threats against law enforcement and calls to defund the FBI.

“FBI Special Agents are dedicated members of the law enforcement community who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public from criminals and terrorists. Special Agents and their families should never be threatened with violence, including for doing their jobs,” said President FBIAA Brian O’Hare. “The threats made recently contribute to an atmosphere where some have, or will, accept violence against law enforcement as appropriate. It is not. This is not a partisan or political issue. It is a matter of public safety and basic decency.”

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) noted that while law enforcement officials are aware their work makes them targets, the rise in politically motivated threats in recent years is “unprecedented” and “unacceptable”.

“Our nation is in a sad state when law enforcement face threats for simply doing their job. Few will appreciate that this week alone FBI investigations led to the successful charging of members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) involved in a transnational murder plot, the sentencing of three individuals charged with a racially motivated killing in Georgia, and the sentencing of an attorney who assisted in smuggling heroin into a Kansas correctional facility,” stated FLEOA National President Larry Cosme. “These are just some of the extremely critical investigations led by the FBI and their dedicated team of agents. Their work saves countless American lives every day and they should be honored for that work.”

The Professional Managers Association (PMA), which represents professional managers, management officials, and non-bargaining unit employees across the  Internal Revenue Service (IRS), including criminal investigators,  suggested that attacks on federal employees may be the result of the American public's misunderstanding of the apolitical role of the career federal workforce.

“The priority setting role of the President ensures a politically accountable body sets enforcement priorities so the people can remove from office a President whose priorities they disagree with. Conversely, individual IRS employees do not set enforcement priorities and do not write the tax laws of our nation. They merely use their expertise execute the will of our elected leaders. Similarly, individual FBI agents do not write laws or select political opponents for investigation,” PMA Executive Director Chad Hooper added. “They simply execute the will of elected leaders in accordance with the law as written. Yet, as FBI agents are currently experiencing, IRS managers have seen firsthand how displeasure with the federal tax code, its enforcement, or general animus to the government can lead to frustration and even violence.”

The National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (NAAUSA) statement echoed much of the same rhetoric, but further highlighted the need for Congress to enact legislation safeguarding the private personal information of all federal employees, from agents on the front-line and personnel at headquarters to prosecutors and federal judges.

“Given the vast protections embedded in our government to ensure the apolitical delivery of government services, the uptick in violence against federal law enforcement is extremely concerning. The recent Joint Intelligence Bulletin on Violent Threats Against Federal Law Enforcement, Courts, and Government Personnel and Facilities further underscores the troubling environment that currently exists in our civic discourse,” NAAUSA President Steve Wasserman stated. “We cannot allow violent extremists to threaten our national and homeland security apparatus by threatening and intimidating law enforcement personnel.”