Problem: The courts hold the FBI accountable ensuring it stays within its investigative power and adheres to constitutional guidelines." It's unfortunate that the credibility of the FBI has eroded in the past decade, seen as a political pawn to be moved at the will of the executive branch. The FBI was once seen as the staunch protectors from terroristic threats both foreign and domestic. Where police were often caught in political controversy daily, the FBI's efficacy often wasn't called into question by those they protect. They served almost a higher ideal of stopping "the bad guys." Perhaps it was simply idealism of the time period, or symbolizes the effective breakdown of cooperation in politics. Today there are those that fear the USA PATRIOT Act will one day be used for nefarious forces outside on a grand scale, eroding the publics trust will every legal case against an officer that comes to light. - Respond to this