"Shut It Down": Vivek Ramaswamy Says FBI Can't Be Reformed

US Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has expressed his strong opinions about the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Mr Ramaswamy argued that the FBI is beyond reform and should be permanently shut down. He asserted that the president has the authority to take such action and pledged to do so if elected. 

Vivek Ramaswamy posted, “The FBI can't be ‘reformed.' The right answer is: Shut It Down. Yes, the President can do it. I will.”

The FBI can't be “reformed.”

The right answer is: Shut It Down.

Yes, the President can do it.

I will.

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 31, 2023

Mr Ramaswamy's remarks have sparked a debate about the role and reform of federal law enforcement agencies on the social media platform.

A user wrote, “The correct position on this matter. Whether you win or not, I'm just glad someone in the race is saying this. Thank you.”

The correct position on this matter. Whether you win or not, I'm just glad someone in the race is saying this. Thank you.

— Daniel de la Fé (@dandelafe) December 31, 2023

Another one added, “I agree with your general ideas about the #FBI. However, there needs to be a real well thought out replacement/ transition plan. You can't just waive your magic wand. There are important existing operations going on. Granularity is required. A well thought out plan is needed,”

I agree with your general ideas about the #FBI. However, their needs to be a real well thought out replacement/ transition plan. You cant just waive your magic wand.
There are important existing operations going on. Granularity is required. A well thought out plan is needed

— Bernie Gartenlaub (@argoexp) December 31, 2023

“Wow. That's quite a statement. Is the corruption within the FBI of such a kind that there's no way to clean up the house but only one option = shut it down?” read a comment.

Wow. That's quite a statement Vivek. Is the corruption within the FBI of such a kind that there's no way to clean up the house but only one option = shut it down? ????

— Carine Knapen (@CarineKnapen) December 31, 2023

This is not the first time Vivek Ramaswamy has shared a strong opinion about the FBI. Earlier, he had said that fire over 75 per cent of the federal workforce and shutter several major agencies if he is elected the US President, the New York Times reported. 

Mr Ramaswamy had said that he would disband the “Department of Education, the FBI, the Food and Nutrition Service, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,” the report added.

Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy has also urged his party leaders to avoid taking part in primary elections that exclude Donald Trump from the ballot. This request comes after Colorado decided not to include Mr Trump in their state polls. 

Now California is trying to remove Trump from ballot, citing Colorado.

DeSantis, Haley, & Christie should join me in pledging to withdraw from the primary in *any* state that removes Trump from ballot. That's the only way to stop blatant election interference in the GOP primary. https://t.co/5xvuLWRWGD

— Vivek Ramaswamy (@VivekGRamaswamy) December 20, 2023

On December 20, the Colorado Supreme Court said Donal Trump is "disqualified from holding the office of President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution."