FBI

The FBI, or Federal Bureau of Investigation, is the United States government's principal domestic investigative agency and a national security organization within the Department of Justice. It investigates federal crimes, enforces federal laws, and gathers intelligence to prevent threats. It has jurisdiction over federal offenses and certain civil rights matters. The FBI maintains field offices in major cities and coordinates with other agencies through joint task forces, including Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

Founded in 1908 as the Bureau of Investigation, it was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935. Its responsibilities expanded from traditional crime detection to national security and intelligence, especially after the September 11 attacks. The Director, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, heads the agency and serves a ten-year term.

The FBI's divisions include Criminal Investigations, Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Cyber Division, plus the National Security Branch. It runs the FBI Academy at Quantico and the FBI Laboratory for forensic analysis. The bureau conducts civil rights investigations and white-collar crime cases and carries out undercover and surveillance operations with proper authorization.

Activities are overseen by the Department of Justice and Congress, with internal and external audits. Privacy and civil liberties considerations guide operations, and the FBI cooperates with international partners in counterterrorism, cyber, and organized crime efforts.