()—Tim Gallagher, former FBI special agent in charge of the Washington and Newark field offices, tells “On Balance with Leland Vittert” that public sentiment toward the agency could shift positively if it became more open.

In the wake of the deadly New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans and a Cybertruck explosion that same day in Las Vegas, conspiracy theorists have put the FBI and other responding agencies in the hot seat over perceived similarities.

Gallagher said that while misinformation is “always a danger” in national events like these, “the FBI deals in evidence. They deal in facts. Conspiracy theorists don’t.”

He explained that conspiracy theorists often take “one sliver of something that’s true,” and expound upon it to fit a narrative.

To avoid the ever-changing narratives and questioning, Gallagher thinks the agency needs “better messaging” and “not being afraid to come out publicly with information” to stay one step ahead of the rumor mill.