The cast is diverse, including Black agents like Zeeko Zaki as OA Zidan and newcomer Katherine Renee Kane as Tiffany Wallace, alongside white and Latina actors, but this feels entirely organic for a modern portrayal of the FBI's New York field office, without any race- or gender-swapping of source material or forced quotas clashing with the setting. Occasional episodes touch lightly on contemporary issues, such as a racially misperceived shooting, community tensions during a congressman assassination, or trust in police reform during a bank robbery probe, but these are incidental case elements that serve the plot rather than preach systemic critiques or identity politics.

Creator Dick Wolf has repeatedly emphasized avoiding political stories, positioning the show as pure entertainment rather than a platform for activism, which aligns with its apolitical tone. Reception shows no notable backlash labeling it 'woke' or citing DEI intrusions; instead, it's praised for delivering drama without lectures, maintaining viewer engagement through character-driven cases and team dynamics.