FBI agents say shutdown is hampering counterterrorism

Baku. 23 January. REPORT.AZ/ The FBI Agents Association advocacy group released a report Tuesday saying that the ongoing government shutdown has strained bureau resources and is undermining criminal, counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence operations, Report informs citing the Kommersant.

“Preparing for specific emergency response operations was either postponed to a later date, or canceled altogether in January, and this continues for more than one week due to lack of budget funds. This adversely affects the ability to do our job and protect the American people," the report says.

It is noted that the FBI officers are also experiencing difficulties when working with informers and translators who cannot pay, which "causes significant damage to counter-terrorism investigations and operations."

Most of the 13,000 FBI special agents are forced to continue working without payment.