FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal investigative agency of the United States Department of Justice. It serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency. The FBI is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and operates under the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney General.

History

The FBI was established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) by then-Attorney General Charles Joseph Bonaparte during the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. It was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. The agency was created to address the need for a federal investigative body to handle complex criminal cases that crossed state lines.

Early Years

In its early years, the FBI focused on investigating violations of federal laws, including antitrust violations, land fraud, and neutrality violations. The agency gained prominence during the Prohibition era when it targeted organized crime and bootlegging operations.

J. Edgar Hoover Era

J. Edgar Hoover served as the director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972. Under his leadership, the FBI expanded its role in domestic intelligence and counterintelligence. Hoover was instrumental in developing the FBI's forensic capabilities and establishing the FBI Laboratory.

Structure and Organization

The FBI is organized into several divisions and offices, each responsible for different aspects of its mission. These include the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch; the Intelligence Branch; and the National Security Branch.

Headquarters and Field Offices

The FBI's headquarters is located in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C. The agency also operates 56 field offices across the United States and over 60 international offices known as "legal attachés."

Functions and Responsibilities

The FBI's primary functions include:

• **Criminal Investigations**: The FBI investigates a wide range of criminal activities, including terrorism, cybercrime, public corruption, civil rights violations, and organized crime.
• **Counterterrorism**: The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating and preventing acts of terrorism within the United States.
• **Counterintelligence**: The FBI works to protect the United States from espionage and other intelligence activities conducted by foreign governments.
• **Cybercrime**: The FBI addresses cyber threats and investigates cybercrimes, including hacking, identity theft, and online fraud.

Notable Cases

The FBI has been involved in numerous high-profile cases throughout its history, including:

• The capture of notorious criminals such as John Dillinger and Al Capone.
• The investigation into the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.
• The pursuit and capture of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.

Controversies

The FBI has faced criticism and controversy over its history, including allegations of civil rights abuses, surveillance of political activists, and mishandling of investigations. Notable controversies include the COINTELPRO program and the handling of the Waco siege.

See Also

• Central Intelligence Agency
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal law enforcement in the United States

References

• "The FBI: A Comprehensive Reference Guide" by Athan G. Theoharis
• "Enemies: A History of the FBI" by Tim Weiner