Federal Bureau of Investigation

US-FBI-ShadedSeal

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes.

History

The FBI was established in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation (BOI). Its name was changed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. The bureau was established in response to the increasing complexity of federal law enforcement in the early 20th century, particularly in response to the growing threat of white-collar crime facilitated by the expansion of both the national economy and interstate commerce.

Organization

The FBI is headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover Building, located in Washington, D.C. With a workforce of over 35,000 employees, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, and scientists, the FBI operates 56 field offices in major cities throughout the U.S., and more than 400 resident agencies in smaller cities and areas across the nation. Internationally, the agency has more than 60 legal attachés at U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe.

Mandate and Functions

The primary functions of the FBI include:

• Investigating and preventing acts of terrorism, including domestic terrorism and cyber-terrorism.
• Upholding and enforcing the criminal laws of the United States.
• Providing leadership and criminal justice services to federal, state, municipal, and international agencies and partners.
• Protecting the United States against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.
• Protecting the United States against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes.

Notable Cases and Operations

Over its history, the FBI has been involved in many high-profile investigations and operations. Some of these include the pursuit of famous outlaws in the 1930s, such as John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde, the investigation into the 9/11 attacks, and more recent efforts to combat cybercrime and domestic terrorism.

Controversies

The FBI has been involved in various controversies throughout its history, including allegations of overreach, abuse of power, and violations of civil liberties. Notable examples include COINTELPRO, an FBI program aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting, and disrupting domestic political organizations in the 1960s and 1970s, and more recent debates over the balance between national security and individual privacy rights in the age of digital communication.

In Popular Culture

The FBI has been a frequent subject of films, television, and literature, often depicted as a force for good, though sometimes its methods and ethics are questioned. Popular media representations have contributed to the public's perception of the FBI, its agents, and its role in American society.