FBI's 'radical' DEI practices pose threat to Americans, Blackburn warns in letter to Wray

On Friday, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn wrote to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting information about the bureau's "radical" DEI practices following the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.

As more details about the unconscionable attack become clear, what is known is deeply concerning: the suspect had weapons, improvised explosive devices, and an ISIS flag. This horrific incident represents a blatant act of terror on American soil, and the people of our country have a right to know if federal law enforcement agencies can effectively prevent and respond to such incidents. Blackburn wrote this in a letter to Wray on Friday, which was exclusively obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital.

The senator expressed his concern that under your leadership, the Bureau has prioritized DEI initiatives over its mission of protecting the American people.

On New Year's Day at 3 a.m., a truck crashed through the crowds on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, resulting in the deaths of 14 people and injuries to 30 others.

A twice-divorced Army veteran from Texas, armed with a Glock and a .308 rifle, was killed after opening fire on police during an attack.

On Wednesday morning, the attack occurred, prompting Blackburn to post on social media about the need for Trump's FBI nominee, Kash Patel, to be confirmed and for the agency's leadership to prioritize fighting criminals and terrorists over DEI practices.

In her letter to Wray on Friday, Blackburn pointed out that the FBI's law enforcement and intelligence capabilities are declining due to the agency's failure to hire the best and brightest candidates. She also mentioned the hiring of a Chief Diversity Officer at the FBI in 2021 and the New Orleans field office hosting a "Diversity Agent Recruiting Event" in July as evidence of the agency's increased focus on DEI.

In a notable instance of tone deafness, the New Orleans FBI Field office boasted about the number of bracelets its agents had gathered. Your prioritization of politics, pop culture, or anything else over your duty to safeguard the public has endangered Americans, culminating in the January 1 terror attack.

In essence, your emphasis on woke DEI initiatives at the FBI has put our national security and the lives of all Americans at risk. The January 1 terror attack and other incidents have made Americans feel increasingly unsafe, and the FBI's prioritization of diversity over competence has validated their concerns. Fortunately, the American people have elected President Trump, who will restore law and order to our nation.

On Wednesday, the FBI assumed control of the case, sparking controversy among Trump supporters and the public, particularly when they initially stated that the attack was not an act of terrorism.

Alethea Duncan, the New Orleans field office FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, stated during a Wednesday morning press conference that the bureau will be taking over the investigative lead for the event and that it is not a terrorist act.

In the same press conference, the Democratic mayor of New Orleans refuted Duncan's statement and explicitly stated that the city was the victim of an act of terror.

On Thursday, the FBI instructed Planet Chronicle Digital to refer to three press releases issued the previous day, which stated that the attack was being probed as a terrorist act and that an ISIS flag was discovered in the suspect's vehicle.

An individual drove a car into a crowd on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, killing several people and injuring many others. The suspect then interacted with local law enforcement and has since passed away. The FBI is currently leading the investigation into this incident as an act of terrorism, working alongside its partners.

In her letter to Wray, Blackburn posed five questions regarding the FBI's DEI hiring practices, including the number of FBI employees hired based on DEI initiatives, how these initiatives are funded, and whether any FBI funds were reallocated for such initiatives. Additionally, she inquired about the number of individuals hired during the New Orleans field office's Diversity Agent Recruiting Event in July.

"Did the FBI recently dismiss any agents who work with the National Security Branch's counterterrorism and intelligence units? Blackburn inquired in her final questions. In a recent online post about the July 17 event, FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil stated that "our staff's diversity is our most valuable resource in ensuring the safety of Americans." Do you concur with this statement?"

Wray, who was first nominated under the first Trump administration, announced that he would step down from the FBI at the end of President Biden's term this month, after Trump nominated Kash Patel to the role.

Blackburn demanded that Wray provide a full account of the extent to which the FBI's DEI agenda has compromised national security by Jan. 10, as the President-Elect's nominee for FBI director has not yet been confirmed.