The FBI quietly lowered some of its recruiting standards for new hires this summer, reversing rules that made actions such as hiring sex workers, engaging in bestiality, and stealing from an employer automatic disqualifiers. Experts including CERL Executive Board Member Mark Zaid note that these actions indicate a recruiting problem at the bureau, which has driven out many career agents since the beginning of President Trump’s second term.

Mark S. Zaid, Esq., is a Washington, D.C. based attorney who specializes in crisis management and innovatively handling simple and complex administrative and litigation matters primarily relating to national security, international law, foreign sovereign and diplomatic immunity, and the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. He is a member of CERL’s Executive Board. Read his bio here.    

The views expressed here are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of any organization or university.