At the funeral for a retired FBI and CIA chief, a nostalgic reflection of an earlier era in Washington, D.C.
Former FBI and Dictionary Director William Webster Remembered for Service and Leadership
William Webster, the esteemed former director of both the FBI and CIA, was recently honoured at a memorial service in Washington, D.C. The event was attended by numerous high-profile figures, including current FBI Director Christopher Wray, former Attorney General Merrick Garland, Chief Justice John Roberts, and several former FBI and CIA agents.
Among the attendees were Dan Bongino, co-deputy director of the FBI, and Brian Driscoll, a former high-ranking agent who was recently dismissed from his position. Reports suggest that Bongino and Driscoll sat near each other during the service.
The bipartisan nature of the event was underscored by the presence of political leaders from both Democratic and Republican administrations. Webster himself served under both parties, demonstrating his commitment to public service above politics.
One of Webster's most notable achievements was his role in putting away a foreign scammer in his 90s. The criminal, who had 30 previous victims, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion. In a surprising twist, the scammer unwittingly targeted Webster and his family, leading to their arrest by the FBI.
Webster's tenure as FBI director also saw him sign off on ABSCAM, a sting operation where agents posed as businessmen offering bribes for certain favors. He defended the operation before Congress, stating that they were not targeting individuals but following leads into public corruption.
Before his time with the FBI, Webster served as a judge and later as the director of the CIA. He also served in the US Navy during the Korean War. After his retirement from government service, he continued to serve as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.
Steven Colloton, chief judge of the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals, and Robert Gates, former defense secretary and deputy CIA director, also eulogized Webster. Colloton praised Webster's dedication to justice and Gates highlighted his leadership and integrity.
Christopher Wray eulogized Webster as exemplifying "what it meant to be a servant leader." Hundreds of former FBI and CIA employees attended the service to pay their respects to a man who had dedicated his life to serving his country.
Despite the memorial service, controversy continues to surround the FBI, with Dan Bongino accusing current FBI Director Christopher Wray of targeting thousands of agents who worked on investigations related to Trump and his supporters. These allegations have not been substantiated, and the matter remains under investigation.
The memorial service for William Webster was held at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors stated that the foreign scammer had scammed hundreds of thousands of dollars from his victims, and he pleaded guilty to one count of extortion. The exact details of the funeral, including who attended and who gave speeches, are not currently available.
