-The FBI-

Koresh, although a flawed man, was not unreasonable. However, the means used against him and the Branch Davidians were sufficient enough to drive any normal person to their limits. A major point of contention surrounding the Waco siege lies in who started the fire. Koresh had increasingly been irritated by the efforts of the FBI, combined with the pressure surrounding himself and the futures of those around him, could have driven him to take desperate measures. However, the actions of the FBI stand out particularly, as they don’t deny the use of incendiary tear gas during the siege, “To anyone who understands weaponry, it should have been a bright red flag: unlike plastic ‘ferret rounds’ of tear gas that are often used to break up unruly crowds, military shells burn when released. They can start fires--precisely what Reno had prohibited” (Klaidman). So, while the cause of the fire leans towards the Davidians, the force that drove them to such an act lies with the FBI.

            The FBI had employed multiple aggressive tactics against the Davidians. They took actions such as depriving the Davidians electricity (Scruggs et al). Then, the FBI played loud audio recordings of jet planes and Buddhist chanting among other sounds (1).They went so far as to use tanks to crush cars of the members as well as the grave of member Peter Gent (1). The FBI wasn’t against most means to try and force the Davidians out (1). To quote Jack Zimmerman, an attorney involved, "The point was this—they were trying to have sleep disturbance and they were trying to take someone that they viewed as unstable to start with, and they were trying to drive him crazy. And then they got mad 'cos he does something that they think is irrational!" ‌ (Testimony to the Subcommittee on National Security et al).

In addition to draining the sanity of the Davidians, the FBI often impeded peaceful negotiations. Koresh had initially released nineteen children shortly into the siege due to successful negotiations, and later released another eleven members despite worsening conditions (Scruggs et al). In addition to this, the negotiation team had made several other breakthroughs, including a potential condition for Koresh to exit the compound (Scruggs et al). Despite this, the FBI decided to continue aggressive options, eventually settling on assaulting the compound on April 19, 1993. The attack was approved by newly appointed Attorney general, Janet Reno. However, the FBI Hostage Rescue Team later denied evidence of child abuse during the standoff, “There was no direct evidence indicating that Koresh engaged in any physical or sexual abuse of children during the standoff” (1). 

The justification for the attack lied in the claim that children were being sexually abused, which was later denied by the FBI. It’s important to outline such an act as it shows that the FBI clearly and plainly lied in order to get a quick resolution to the conflict. After getting confirmation from Bill Clinton, "Finally, I told her that if she thought it was the right thing to do, she could go ahead.” The fate of the Branch Davidians was set (Knopf 99-497). The FBI needed to end the standoff as quickly as possible, and considering negotiations to be too slow, they assaulted the compound. Many means were used, from tanks blowing holes into the building to pump tear gas in, to the launching of various pyrotechnic flash and gas grenades into openings (Scruggs et al). Following this, a fire started. Evidence from inside audio equipment suggesting the Branch Davidians to be the cause (1). Only nine people exited the compound during the fire, anyone remaining dying of smoke inhalation or being crushed by burning debris (1).

The events of the Waco siege saw the deaths of eighty-six total people, six being killed during the ATF raid prior (Scruggs et al). Seventy-six were Branch Davidians, twenty to twenty-eight were children, and four were federal agents (1). This is a ratio of one dead agent per around 19 dead Davidians. Most people, especially those alive at the time, saw the actions of the FBI surrounding the siege as grossly negligent. It can be, and has been argued that the FBI sought a solution that costed them less, rather than one that could be resolved peacefully, “The 51-day siege of the Branch Davidian compound cost taxpayers at least $6.6 million, according to preliminary reports, but the total could be much higher when the final numbers are in, federal officials said.” (COST of CULT SIEGE – in DOLLARS…).