This cover story explored the FBI’s track record and specifically that of its director, Louis Freeh, at a time when the Bureau faced mounting questions over its competence. A recent Justice Department report had supported allegations by a FBI chemist of “sloppy and biased” forensics work. The agency also faced criticism over its treatment of Richard Jewell, a suspect in the bombing of the Atlanta Olympics — later completely exonerated — and for failing to figure out that an American CIA officer, Aldrich Ames, had been spying for the Russians until nine years later.
TIME Covers Terrorism Throughout the Years
“What’s Wrong at the FBI?”
April 28, 1997
Full List
TIME Covers
- “Tower Terror”
- “Unabomber: Tracking Down the Unabomber”
- “Oklahoma City: Blow to the Heart”
- “Terror’s Venue”
- “What’s Wrong at the FBI?”
- “Botching The Big Case”
- “If You Want To Humble An Empire”
- “A Clear And Present Danger”
- “The Fear Factor”
- “The Shoe Bomber’s World”
- “Can We Stop The Next 9/11?”
- “Rush Hour Terror”
- The Fort Hood Killer: Terrified … or Terrorist?