Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., have criticized recent law enforcement failures by the FBI and other agencies, urging President-elect Trump's administration to enact reforms. Thune expressed concerns about the loss of trust in the FBI among Americans, emphasizing the need for a makeover and housecleaning to restore public confidence in the agency.
Thune also voiced support for Trump's nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, highlighting Patel's understanding of the agency's mission. Meanwhile, Cassidy called for accountability in the wake of law enforcement failures that allowed incidents like the recent terrorist attack in New Orleans to occur.
Cassidy specifically pointed to the revelation that New Orleans police had access to barriers that could have prevented the deadly truck attack, emphasizing the importance of leadership and consequences for failures at the top. He suggested that a complete review of law enforcement practices is necessary, including the potential replacement of New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.
Thune and Cassidy's statements follow criticism from Trump's allies over the FBI's handling of the truck attack, which was initially characterized as non-terror-related before a terrorism investigation linked to ISIS was launched. A source close to Trump emphasized the FBI's no-fail mission and the urgency of confirming Patel as the new FBI leader.
Patel is among the incoming Trump cabinet nominees who will undergo Senate confirmation after Trump's inauguration later this month. The calls for reforms and accountability in law enforcement signal a growing push for change within the GOP as the new administration prepares to take office.
