Agent Of Change

Senior agents are flooding out of the FBI in unprecedented numbers, many driven into early retirement by FBI Director Bob Mueller’s energetic, impatient style. In his first six months, Mueller has replaced 80% of the senior headquarters staff, and he’s about to name new commanders in nearly a third of the field offices. Latest to depart: the FBI’s highest-ranking Hispanic, Ruben Garcia, 50, whom Mueller named just two months ago to be executive assistant director in charge of criminal and cybercrime investigations.

Insiders are worried that the bureau has become dangerously short of grizzled, crisis-hardened supervisors. “With the sensitive and complex investigations we do, whether you’re dealing with counterintelligence or corruption or counterterrorism, you need real-world experience,” says a respected veteran. But Mueller wants a fresh approach at the top and has ignored the committees that traditionally recommend promotions–and, critics say, perpetuate the old-boy network. Mueller has also shocked the troops by personally interviewing candidates for all upper-management and some key middle-management posts. Mueller loyalists say the ex-Marine handpicks young leaders whose passion for detail matches his own. His moves are backed by his boss, John Ashcroft. “The Attorney General has the utmost confidence in how [Mueller is] tackling the job,” says Ashcroft aide Barbara Comstock.

–By Elaine Shannon