Increasing cybersecurity threats in the United States are reportedly behind the termination of a number of cybersecurity officials at the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). The Wall Street Journal has indicated that 3 of the top FBI officials including Scott Smith, David Resch, and Carl Ghattas are leaving the bureau. The resignations come amidst an “unprecedented” number of cyber attacks, which apparently include Russian meddling in the political system, as well as disputes with President Trump. Last year, the US President took a swipe at the FBI’s reputation on social media, calling it “the worst in history”. Assistant FBI director Scott Smith is set to resign this month and will be joined by David Resch, the FBI’s executive assistant director of the cyber, response and services office.
Meanwhile, the national security branch of the FBI will lose Carl Ghattas — also an executive assistant director — as he pursues other opportunities in the private sector. All the departures have been confirmed by the FBI. In a statement, Resch assured the public that “the Bureau will remain the FBI the American people have depended on for 110 years”. Those familiar with the decisions have labeled the mass exodus of senior officials as “highly unusual”, particularly in the case of Smith, whose premature departure diverges from the standard practice of agents leaving after retirement age. With the shadow of the 2016 election hacking still lingering, and concerns with present cybersecurity issues, senior US intelligence officials have cautioned the country has reached a “critical point”.