Top 10 Misconceptions About the FBI
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The FBI has been a very important part of American history. In fact, it has been the main player is some of the most infamous criminal and national security issues. As such, it is not surprising that many misunderstandings and myths have popped up about the FBI. This is due to the complex nature of their job as well as the public’s misunderstanding of what they really do. With that in mind, check out the top 10 misconceptions about the FBI.
#10. The FBI has every American on file
Many people think that the FBI has large files of all the bad things that every single American in the United States has done. However, this is far from the truth! Rather, the FBI only has files for threats to national security and serious violations of federal law. In addition, they don’t usually have files on any single person. Rather, then filing things by people of interest, the FBI files things under cases. There are times where people will appear in files. However, this is usually because they are being investigated as a spy, terrorist, or through a 3rd party information request. However, under the Freedom of Information Act, there are strict laws as to how these files are held and for how long.[1]Freedom of Information/Privacy Act
#9. Elliot Ness was an FBI agent
Eliot Ness was a law enforcement agent famous for enforcing Prohibition in Chicago and bring down Al Capone. As such, it is a common misconception that he was a Bureau agent. That is actually not true. However, he did work under the FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover for a brief time.[2]A Byte Out of History Eliot Ness
#8. Machine Gun Kelly gave Bureau agents their “G-Men” nickname
It is a common myth that George “Machine Gun” Kelly was the gangster who first game the FBI their “G-men” nickname.[3]A Byte Out of History “Machine Gun” Kelly and the Legend of the G-Men This story came about most likely due to a bit of exaggeration on the side of the local press.
In reality, before 1934, the term “G-Man” was the common slang term used by criminals to describe all government agents. In fact, at this time, the FBI was not very well known and agents were often confused as Prohibition Bureau or Secret Service agents. Only until after 1935, did the Bureau gain the sole distinction of being known as “G-Men”.
#7. The FBI has Nikola Tesla’s plans for a “death ray”
Nikola Tesla was a prolific and famous physicist, engineer, and inventor. He is famous for developing AC power. Tesla was born in Croatia in 1856, but came to live in the United States in 1884. He died in 1943. At his death, many people think that the Bureau then seized all of his papers and research. The confusion comes from the fact that many people tend to think that any government agent is automatically a FBI agent. This actually a common misconception. In reality, it was agents from the Department of Justice Alien Property Custodian Office that took possession of Tesla’s property.[4]The Vintage News – releases long held Nikola Tesla documents In this case, the term “alien” is used to describe foreigner. However, ironically, Tesla was actually a US citizen.
#6. No minority agents served during the Hoover years
It is a common misconception that there were no minorities serving in the FBI during the Hoover years.[5]Encyclopedia Britannica – J. Edgar Hoover While the FBI was not necessarily way ahead of its time, there were minorities serving in the FBI as early as the 1920s on.
A few examples include:
- African American, James Amos who served in New York between 1921 to 1953
- The father/son African American Striders team who served in LA between the 1940s to 1970s
- Manuel Sorola, an agent of Hispanic origin, who served in the west between the 1920s to 1940s
- Flaviano Guerrerro, an agent born in the Philippines, who served in the 1940s
#5. The FBI routinely spies on Americans
One of the biggest misconceptions about the FBI is that they routinely spy on Americans. Many people fear that they have or will become a big brother like figure in American society. However, this is absolutely not true. Rather, the Bureau follows a set of well defined guidelines, regulations, and laws honed by practical experience. While they have made some mistakes over their history, they are few and far between. The FBI has been commendable in their delicate balancing act between using the tools at their disposal and upholding American’s civil liberties.[6]The Register – We’re spying on you for your own protection, says NSA
#4. The Bureau prosecutes cases
A common misconception about the FBI is that they prosecute cases. However, in reality they do not. Just like a regular policeman, they are investigators. It is their job to find the facts and present them to the U.S. Attorneys at the Department of Justice.[7]Offices of the United States of Attorneys
#3. The FBI doesn’t cooperate with other agencies
A common misconception, often spread from media and television, is that the FBI doesn’t like to work with other agencies and prefers to hog all of the glory. However, this can’t be farther from the truth. In reality, the Bureau works very closely with not only local agencies in the United States, but also with others around the world.[8]Partnerships It is through these great friendships and relationships that they are able to be as effective at solving crimes.
#2. The FBI shouldn’t and can’t do intelligence
It is a common misconception about the FBI that they are only an investigative agency and can’t do any intelligence gathering operations. However, this is actually far from the truth. In reality, the Bureau has been doing intelligence gathering operations throughout their history.[9]INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS This includes mobsters, Soviet spies, terrorists, and many others. This is a vital part to how they function. Not only do they look to bring criminals to justice for crimes that they have committed, they also look to prevent future crimes as well.
#1. The FBI has “X-Files”
The X-files TV show helped give the public the misconception that the FBI makes it a point to investigate supernatural phenomena. However, this is not exactly true. While the FBI does investigate unusual things such as Roswell, UFOs, and cattle mutilation, it is because other people have reported incidents that the Bureau was sent to investigate.[10]The Top Ten Myths in FBI’s History In most cases, these are just parts of larger investigations and are just footnotes. In reality, it is not the FBI’s job to go out of its way to find and investigate supernatural phenomena.
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