--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap…" description: "\"If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law, why trust them to carry weapons or make arrests?\" — Ronald Kessler" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg" --- # If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law… ![“If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law, why trust them to carry weapons or make arrests?” quote by Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg) > “If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law, why trust them to carry weapons or make arrests?” [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning the reliability of law‑enforcement agents when they breach legal boundaries, implying broader doubts about their authority. **In simple terms:** If they break the law, can we trust them with other duties? Key Takeaway Scrutinize authority and demand accountability. Themes trust authority law enforcement Mood skeptical concerned Type critical analytical When to use this quote - policy review - public oversight - legal training - community policing Key Concepts accountability ethical oversight institutional trust Questions to Reflect On - How can oversight be improved? - What safeguards protect citizens? A Different Perspective Legal breaches erode public confidence, but complete distrust can hinder safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fbi agents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fbi-agents/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/) ## Related quotes > [Ask the American public if they want an FBI wiretap and they'll say, "no." If you ask them do they want a feature on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ask-the-american-public-if-they-want-an-fbi-wiretap-and-they-ll-say/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [They're - FBI agents are some of the finest people you'll find anyplace in the country or the world. And I'm lucky to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mueller/they-re-fbi-agents-are-some-of-the-finest-people-you-ll-find-anyplace/) [Robert Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mueller/) > [You can't be an FBI agent without being cautious and thinking things through. That's just part of the training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malik-yoba/you-can-t-be-an-fbi-agent-without-being-cautious-and-thinking-things/) [Malik Yoba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malik-yoba/) > [The first theatre I ever found was in the backyard of a new suburban community in the foothills of the Poconos. My dad was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mercedes-ruehl/the-first-theatre-i-ever-found-was-in-the-backyard-of-a-new-suburban/) [Mercedes Ruehl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mercedes-ruehl/) > [If I read this to you and did not tell you that it was an FBI agent describing what Americans had done to prisoners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-durbin/if-i-read-this-to-you-and-did-not-tell-you-that-it-was-an-fbi-agent/) [Dick Durbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-durbin/) > [About five, six FBI agents walked into the courthouse and arrested me. They said I was being arrested for distribution of information related to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-austin/about-five-six-fbi-agents-walked-into-the-courthouse-and-arrested-me/) [Sherman Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-austin/) > [There are more heroes than cops, FBI agents, and lawyers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/powers-boothe/there-are-more-heroes-than-cops-fbi-agents-and-lawyers/) [Powers Boothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/powers-boothe/) > [Do FBI Agents and FBI directors have political beliefs? Sure they do. But they're not supposed to act on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kennedy/do-fbi-agents-and-fbi-directors-have-political-beliefs-sure-they-do/) [John Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kennedy/) > [Im an actor. The fact that Im involved in Jigsaw, I dont approach Jigsaw any differently than I approached The Nordic in The Firm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobin-bell/im-an-actor-the-fact-that-im-involved-in-jigsaw-i-dont-approach/) [Tobin Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobin-bell/) > [I know when I was here prosecuting homicides in the District of Columbia, one of the most effective units here was the cold case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mueller/i-know-when-i-was-here-prosecuting-homicides-in-the-district-of/) [Robert Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mueller/) > [What kind of FBI agent are you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-mochrie/what-kind-of-fbi-agent-are-you/) [Colin Mochrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-mochrie/) > [I think Mulder is the worst FBI agent in the world. He spends millions of dollars investigating these paranormal phenomena and never comes up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duchovny/i-think-mulder-is-the-worst-fbi-agent-in-the-world-he-spends-millions/) [David Duchovny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duchovny/) > [In fact, I had previously helped train one of the FBI agents who searched my apartment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-hatfill/in-fact-i-had-previously-helped-train-one-of-the-fbi-agents-who/) [Steven Hatfill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-hatfill/) > [...The Bill of Rights is a literal and absolute document. The First Amendment doesn't say you have a right to speak out unless the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-browne/the-bill-of-rights-is-a-literal-and-absolute-document-the-first/) [Harry Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-browne/) > [I trained with the FBI in Portland and I also had many conversations with female FBI agents in Los Angeles, as well. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-nielsen/i-trained-with-the-fbi-in-portland-and-i-also-had-many-conversations/) [Connie Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-nielsen/) ## More by Ronald Kessler > [To reform the Secret Service, the agency needs a director from outside the agency who will be immune from that culture and not beholden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/to-reform-the-secret-service-the-agency-needs-a-director-from-outside/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [“The White House is a character crucible," according to Bertram S. Brown, M.D., a psychiatrist who formerly headed the National Institute of Mental Health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/the-white-house-is-a-character-crucible-according-to-bertram-s-brown/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [Complex man that he was, J. Edgar Hoover left nothing to chance. The director shrewdly recognized that building what became known as the world's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/complex-man-that-he-was-j-edgar-hoover-left-nothing-to-chance-the/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [Voters who disregarded Richard Nixon's involvement in the questionable ethics issue that led to his Checkers speech should not have been surprised when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/voters-who-disregarded-richard-nixon-s-involvement-in-the/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [To become a Secret Service agent, applicants must pass a polygraph exam. But after being hired, agents are never required to undergo regular lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/to-become-a-secret-service-agent-applicants-must-pass-a-polygraph/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [“No one can imagine the kind of pressure being president of the U.S. imposes on an individual and how easily a president can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/no-one-can-imagine-the-kind-of-pressure-being-president-of-the-u-s/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [In a series of articles beginning on Oct. 2, 1966, I wrote about the long-forgotten history of the Liberty Tree. To call attention to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/in-a-series-of-articles-beginning-on-oct-2-1966-i-wrote-about-the/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [“Voters tend to forget that presidents are, first and foremost, people. If they are unbalanced, nasty, and hypocritical, that will be reflected in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/voters-tend-to-forget-that-presidents-are-first-and-foremost-people/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [Love him or hate him, no one has been able to figure out Donald Trump.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/love-him-or-hate-him-no-one-has-been-able-to-figure-out-donald-trump/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [Rather than use the term 'profiling,' the profilers prefer to say they engage in criminal investigative analysis. That is because, besides developing profiles, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/rather-than-use-the-term-profiling-the-profilers-prefer-to-say-they/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [The media are always on the lookout for possible sightings of D.B. Cooper, the man who parachuted from a plane with $200,000 in ransom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/the-media-are-always-on-the-lookout-for-possible-sightings-of-d-b/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [The truth is that no internal reviews or congressional hearings will change the Secret Service's broken management culture. It needs better leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/the-truth-is-that-no-internal-reviews-or-congressional-hearings-will/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [With the selection of Acting Secret Service Director Joseph P. Clancy as the director, President Obama has guaranteed that the agency will continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/with-the-selection-of-acting-secret-service-director-joseph-p-clancy/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [TacOps is a unit which breaks into homes and offices to plant bugging devices. They get into mafia hangouts, they go into embassies, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/tacops-is-a-unit-which-breaks-into-homes-and-offices-to-plant-bugging/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) > [When I was doing interviews at the FBI, my tape recorder battery died. They gave me a new one, and I said, 'Of course,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/when-i-was-doing-interviews-at-the-fbi-my-tape-recorder-battery-died/) [Ronald Kessler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) [Explore all 52 Ronald Kessler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/) ## More Fbi quotes > [Martha Stewart showed up at Manhattan FBI Headquarters to have her finger prints taken and pose for a mug shot. Then Martha explained how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/martha-stewart-showed-up-at-manhattan-fbi-headquarters-to-have-her/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [I know firsthand from my experience working counterintelligence investigations for the FBI that kicking a diplomat out of the country is no small thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asha-rangappa/i-know-firsthand-from-my-experience-working-counterintelligence/) [Asha Rangappa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asha-rangappa/) > [An FBI agent ought to be able to surf the net and look for sites that instruct people how to make bombs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashcroft/an-fbi-agent-ought-to-be-able-to-surf-the-net-and-look-for-sites-that/) [John Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashcroft/) > [It won't ruin our movement if someone gets killed in an animal rights action. It's going to happen sooner or later. The Animal Liberation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-vlasak/it-won-t-ruin-our-movement-if-someone-gets-killed-in-an-animal-rights/) [Jerry Vlasak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-vlasak/) > [On the one hand, you don't want to disrupt the nation with what might look like a vindictive prosecution, even though it might not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/on-the-one-hand-you-don-t-want-to-disrupt-the-nation-with-what-might/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [Asked at the hearing why she hadn't pressed the FBI more closely about what it knew, or didn't know, about domestic terrorist threats, Rice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-fineman/asked-at-the-hearing-why-she-hadn-t-pressed-the-fbi-more-closely/) [Howard Fineman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-fineman/) > [I didn't know the organization, but the one thing you can say about the FBI, it's tremendously professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mueller/i-didn-t-know-the-organization-but-the-one-thing-you-can-say-about/) [Robert Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mueller/) > [That job should not be a political job. We should not be hearing very publicly from the leader of the FBI.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-bondi/that-job-should-not-be-a-political-job-we-should-not-be-hearing-very/) [Pam Bondi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-bondi/) > [You know, back in the 1950s and '60s, when J. Edgar Hoover was making the FBI the respected organization it used to be, oftentimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howie-carr/you-know-back-in-the-1950s-and-60s-when-j-edgar-hoover-was-making-the/) [Howie Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howie-carr/) > [But we had - I think if you look at law enforcement 10 years ago, if you look at the challenges, the FBI was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mueller/but-we-had-i-think-if-you-look-at-law-enforcement-10-years-ago-if-you/) [Robert Mueller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mueller/) > [The FBI has a very clear policy. They don't expose victims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lankford/the-fbi-has-a-very-clear-policy-they-don-t-expose-victims/) [James Lankford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lankford/) > [Bob Mueller for the FBI, myself, met with a particular group of executives that have major roles in the so-called ISPs, the Internet service…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-napolitano/bob-mueller-for-the-fbi-myself-met-with-a-particular-group-of/) [Janet Napolitano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-napolitano/) > [Neither Mueller, the Obama FBI, DOJ, CIA, State Department, nor the Deep State ever had a good-faith basis to pursue President Trump on Russia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-fitton/neither-mueller-the-obama-fbi-doj-cia-state-department-nor-the-deep/) [Tom Fitton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-fitton/) > [In other words, under Attorney General John Ashcroft, the FBI, the INS and the Department of Justice are so out of control that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/in-other-words-under-attorney-general-john-ashcroft-the-fbi-the-ins/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [I heard some good news today, the FBI and the CIA are going to start cooperating. They are going to start working together. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-letterman/i-heard-some-good-news-today-the-fbi-and-the-cia-are-going-to-start/) [David Letterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-letterman/) Browse all 420 Fbi quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law, why trust them to carry weapons or make arrests?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ronald Kessler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wiretap-within-the-law-why-trust/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fbi" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wiretap-within-the-law-why-trust/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f8/ronald-kessler-13022_fbi_if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wireta_959905.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If FBI agents can't be trusted to wiretap within the law, why trust them to carry weapons or make arrests?” — Ronald Kessler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ronald Kessler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-kessler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If FBI agents can't be trusted...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wiretap-within-the-law-why-trust/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-kessler/if-fbi-agents-can-t-be-trusted-to-wiretap-within-the-law-why-trust/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```