Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
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Organization information
Motto	“Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity”
Founded	1908
Director	Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Founded as	Bureau of Investigation
Agency type	Federal law enforcement and domestic intelligence agency
Headquarters	J. Edgar Hoover Building, Washington, D.C.
Jurisdiction	United States federal government (and authorized international cooperation)
Parent organization	United States Department of Justice

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Justice. It investigates violations of federal law, provides support to other agencies, and collects intelligence information within its authorized roles. The FBI traces its origins to the creation of the Bureau of Investigation in 1908 and is headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover Building.

Mission and responsibilities

The FBI’s mission centers on upholding federal law and protecting national security. Its work includes criminal investigations, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber operations, and public corruption enforcement. In many matters, the FBI coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local partners, consistent with the United States federal framework for criminal justice and public safety.

Within the Department of Justice, the FBI operates under the Attorney General and organizational guidance that frames how investigations are initiated, conducted, and prosecuted. Investigative priorities also reflect statutes administered by the department, including areas such as civil rights enforcement and organized crime, where the bureau frequently collaborates with specialized units in the DOJ and with prosecutors in the United States Attorney’s Offices.

History and development

The FBI’s predecessor, the Bureau of Investigation, was established in 1908 during the administrations that expanded federal oversight of interstate crime. As federal investigations became more centralized, the bureau developed procedures and investigative capabilities that later shaped modern federal policing practices. In 1935, the Bureau of Investigation was reorganized and renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and it came to be closely identified with the long tenure of J. Edgar Hoover as director.

Over time, the FBI’s role expanded with changing threats and national policy. During the Cold War era, for example, the bureau became involved in counterintelligence and internal security activities, which were often intertwined with intelligence responsibilities. Contemporary FBI practice is also shaped by reforms that followed public controversies and by evolving oversight mechanisms related to law enforcement and intelligence activities.

Investigative authorities and oversight

The FBI investigates violations of federal law, but it does not operate as a general investigative agency for all crimes. Instead, it relies on jurisdictional authority defined by Congress and interpreted through DOJ policies, federal statutes, and court decisions. Where applicable, FBI investigations may include the use of investigative tools authorized by federal law and supervised procedures, such as surveillance and evidentiary collection governed by constitutional requirements.

Oversight involves multiple channels, including internal DOJ supervision and external accountability through federal courts and congressional review. The FBI’s work is also subject to constraints associated with civil liberties, privacy, and due process, and it must operate within the legal boundaries established for law enforcement agencies in the United States. Public debates about FBI conduct have frequently involved the relationship between national security and constitutional protections, themes that are also reflected in broader discussions of intelligence agencies and surveillance in the U.S.

Organizational structure and operations

The FBI is organized into divisions and field offices, with specialized units that support investigations and national programs. The bureau maintains offices and operational components across the United States, and it deploys task forces in partnership with other law enforcement entities. It also coordinates with international partners when authorized, typically through mechanisms that support lawful information sharing and joint investigations.

Specialized capabilities include counterterrorism, which focuses on preventing and investigating terrorist threats; cyber investigations, including intrusion and digital evidence; and organized crime and public corruption investigations. The FBI has also been involved in major high-profile cases, and it regularly engages in evidence handling and forensic support that are aligned with federal investigative standards and federal court requirements.

Public profile and cultural impact

The FBI’s prominence in U.S. law enforcement has made it a frequent subject in media, public policy discussions, and popular culture. Public understanding of the bureau is often shaped by films and television that portray federal investigations and interagency cooperation. This visibility also contributes to public expectations about the FBI’s capabilities and practices, even as its statutory responsibilities and legal limits govern what it can do in specific circumstances.

High-profile investigations have sometimes influenced legislative and policy changes, as well as institutional reforms. Debates about FBI practices—such as surveillance, civil liberties, and the balance between security and privacy—have been part of broader national discussions about the role of federal law enforcement and intelligence activities, including how the United States addresses domestic security challenges.