Washington: Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has made a bold statement regarding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), advocating for its permanent shutdown.
He conveyed his strong opinion via X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the FBI, in his view, cannot be reformed and should be closed down for good. He emphasised that the power to take such action lies with the President and pledged to execute this if elected.
"The FBI can't be 'reformed.' The right answer is: Shut It Down. Yes, the President can do it. I will," Ramaswamy posted on social media.
His remarks have sparked a debate regarding the role and potential reform of federal law enforcement agencies across the platform. Responses varied, with some expressing support for Ramaswamy's stance, while others highlighted the complexity and implications of such a decision.
While Ramaswamy's recent statement on the FBI's closure has drawn attention, it's not the first time he has shared strong views about restructuring governmental bodies.
He had previously advocated for significant workforce reduction and the closure of several major federal agencies, including the Department of Education, FBI, Food and Nutrition Service, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives if he assumes the presidency, as reported by the New York Times.
Apart from his stance on the FBI and government restructuring, Ramaswamy urged his party leaders to refrain from participating in primary elections that exclude Donald Trump from the ballot.
This request followed the decision of Colorado not to include Trump in their state polls after the state's Supreme Court deemed Trump "disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution" on December 20.