Federal Bureau of Investigation: Difference between revisions
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The FBI is led by a Director appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a ten-year term. The Director reports to the Attorney General. | The FBI is led by a Director appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a ten-year term. The Director reports to the Attorney General. | ||
The agency operates through: | '''The agency operates through:''' | ||
* Headquarters in Washington, D.C. | * Headquarters in Washington, D.C. | ||
* 56 field offices across the United States | * 56 field offices across the United States | ||
Revision as of 00:58, 4 January 2026
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal domestic intelligence and federal law enforcement agency of the United States. It operates under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice and is responsible for investigating violations of federal law, protecting national security, combating terrorism, and enforcing criminal statutes across state lines.
The FBI plays a central role in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybercrime investigations, organized crime enforcement, and public corruption cases.
History
The FBI was established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation within the Department of Justice. It was created in response to the need for a professional federal investigative force capable of enforcing federal laws across state boundaries.
In 1935, the agency was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI expanded its scope and became a central institution in U.S. law enforcement and intelligence gathering.
Mission and responsibilities
The FBI’s mission is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, uphold and enforce federal criminal laws, and provide leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international partners.
Core responsibilities include:
- Counterterrorism
- Counterintelligence
- Cybercrime investigations
- Organized crime and racketeering
- Public corruption
- Civil rights enforcement
- Violent crime investigations
Organization and structure
The FBI is led by a Director appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for a ten-year term. The Director reports to the Attorney General.
The agency operates through:
- Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
- 56 field offices across the United States
- Legal attaché offices in U.S. embassies worldwide
Role in national security
The FBI serves as the lead agency for domestic intelligence and counterterrorism investigations. It works closely with other U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, as well as with state and local law enforcement.
Following the September 11 attacks, the FBI expanded its intelligence functions and integrated more closely with the broader U.S. intelligence community.
International operations
Although primarily a domestic agency, the FBI operates internationally through legal attaché offices. These offices coordinate with foreign law enforcement agencies on transnational crime, terrorism, and intelligence matters.
The FBI often works jointly with agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Administration and international partners in extraditions, arrests, and cross-border investigations.
Involvement in high-profile cases
The FBI has been involved in numerous high-profile investigations, including organized crime prosecutions, terrorism cases, espionage investigations, and public corruption cases involving senior government officials.
In January 2026, FBI agents were shown escorting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro upon his arrival in the United States following a U.S. military operation. The footage confirmed the agency’s role in the custodial and legal handling of the case.
Oversight and criticism
The FBI operates under oversight from the Department of Justice, the U.S. Congress, and federal courts. Over its history, the agency has faced criticism related to surveillance practices, civil liberties concerns, and political neutrality.
Reforms and oversight mechanisms have been implemented to address past abuses and ensure accountability.