The rights of all Americans are at stake in the selection of an FBI Director. He has extraordinary power to affect the lives of ordinary Americans. By properly using the investigative powers, the FBI can protect the security of all of us to combat sophisticated crime, espionage and terrorism. But these same powers the FBI has, if they are unchecked, they can undermine our civil liberties, our freedom of speech and association, and the right to privacy. If the FBI leaks information, they can destroy the lives and reputations of people who have not been charged or had a trial. And, worse, such leaking can be used for political intimidation and coercion. By respecting constitutional safeguards for criminal suspects, the FBI can help ensure that persons accused of Federal crimes receive a fair trial and that justice is served. The paramount standard for evaluating a new Director is his demonstrated adherence to the Constitution as the bulwark of liberty and the rule of law. Many in our country have lost some confidence in the Bureau. That is more than just a PR problem, because if you erode public trust, then you erode the ability of the FBI to do its job.