FBI Director Christopher Wray’s podium awaits his arrival before his news conference at FBI headquarters on the U.S Justice Department’s inspector general’s report regarding the actions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 2016 U.S. presidential election in Washington, U.S. June 14, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
This past week, the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed it had successfully dismantled a highly organized foreign intelligence network operating inside the United States. According to Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the operation targeted individuals attempting to gain access to sensitive defense information by approaching members of the U.S. military.

The announcement underscored the bureau’s ongoing role in safeguarding national security and preventing foreign actors from obtaining advanced technology that could threaten American interests.

How the FBI Broke the Case
In a statement shared publicly, Bongino explained that agents executed eight search warrants across multiple cities — including San Francisco, Houston, Portland, and San Diego — as part of the coordinated effort. These actions resulted in two arrests and the seizure of materials connected to the case.

He described the network as “sophisticated” and noted that it was tied to a foreign government. The FBI’s investigation revealed attempts to recruit American service members, as well as efforts to gather information related to U.S. defense technology, including drone and missile systems.

“These are not abstract threats,” Bongino emphasized. “This is your FBI, and you deserve to know about the work we do every day to keep our country safe.”

A Growing Challenge for National Security
The dismantled spy network is not an isolated case. Since the start of 2025, the FBI has apprehended 51 individuals linked to foreign intelligence activities. These cases involved not only attempts at recruiting insiders but also economic espionage, sanctions evasion, and smuggling of sensitive materials.