The FBI: Past, Present, and Future

Publication Date: October 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Government

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Abstract:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the Nation's premier law enforcement organization responsible for gathering and reporting facts and compiling evidence in cases involving federal jurisdiction. It has broad jurisdiction in federal law enforcement and in national security, and is a statutory member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. From its official inception in 1908, the FBI's mission, jurisdiction, and resources have grown substantially in parallel with the real or perceived threats to American society, culture, political institutions, and overall security. In FY2003 the organization has approximately 26,000 employees, about 12,000 of whom are Special Agents. The FBI has had many successes in countering criminal and hostile foreign intelligence and terrorist activity in its storied history. However, in its zeal to protect U.S. national security, the FBI occasionally exceeded its mandate and infringed upon the protected rights of U.S. citizens. Currently, the FBI is undergoing a massive reorganization to shift its culture from reaction to crimes already committed to detection, deterrence and prevention of terrorist attacks against U.S. interests. The FBI continues to be a major domestic and international force in the war against terrorism. The FBI, one element of the U.S. Department of Justice, is led by a Director appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director is appointed for a single 10-year term to insulate the investigative agency from tacit or perceived political pressures. The FBI Director is not a member of the President's Cabinet, although he reports to one - the U.S. Attorney General. The current organizational schema of the FBI has three main elements: Headquarters, 56 Field Offices, and 45 Legal Attaches overseas. The degree of autonomy with which field offices have operated with respect to Headquarters has oscillated over time. Currently, Headquarters is assuming a more assertive role in directing field activities and demanding accountability, particularly with respect to the FBI's national security responsibilities. While the FBI has long had counterterrorism as a top tier priority, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were a catalyst for developing a definitive list of ranked priorities. On May 29, 2002, counterterrorism became the FBI's sole number one priority. Other major priorities include countering foreign intelligence activity directed against the United States, countering cybercrime, and working against public corruption. The FBI's priorities continue to reflect its traditional law enforcement mission, but the FBI's national security mission has assumed an unprecedented degree of prominence. In order to successfully implement its mission, the FBI has extensive relationships with other federal executive agencies, including other members of the U.S. Intelligence Community. It also has an important network of relationships with state and local law enforcement, and overseas law enforcement agencies and security services. Relevant pending bills include H.R. 1157, H.R. 2867, S. 410, S. 1158, S. 1440, S. 1507, and S. 1520. Issues for the Congress involve whether: (1) the FBI can sufficiently adapt its law enforcement culture to deter, detect, and prevent terrorism; (2) some of the FBI's criminal jurisdiction should be devolved to state and local law enforcement; (3) a statutory charter for the FBI should be developed; and (4) the planned co-location of the FBI's operational Counterterrorism Division with the newly formed Terrorist Threat Integration Center provides an opportunity for foreign intelligence entities to engage in domestic intelligence activities.