Is the FBI under the DOJ?
Asked by: Dr. Osvaldo Graham | Last update: October 30, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (39 votes)
Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the
Is the DOJ in charge of the FBI?
The FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat-focused national security organization with both intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities. It is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice and a full member of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
Who falls under the DOJ?
- Antitrust Division (ATR)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Civil Division (CIV)
- Community Orientated Policing Services (COPS)
- Community Relations Service (CRS)
- Criminal Division (CRM)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD)
Is CIA under DOD or DOJ?
The mission of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of the United States. DOD also houses the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the National Guard .
Who runs the FBI?
The FBI is led by a Director, who is appointed by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate for a term not to exceed 10 years. The current Director is Brian Driscoll (acting). You can find information on all Directors who have served the FBI on our History website.
Trump Justice Department fires officials who investigated Trump
What branch of government is the FBI under?
Within the U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI is responsible to the attorney general, and it reports its findings to U.S. Attorneys across the country. The FBI's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence.
Can the president fire the FBI director?
Since 1976, directors serve a ten-year term unless they resign, die, or are removed, but in practice, since Hoover, none have served a full ten years, except Mueller who served twelve years with the leave of Congress. The director of the FBI can be removed from office by the president of the United States.
What branch is above the CIA?
The CIA is not within a cabinet level department so it stands alone except for some budgetary control and priorities by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Does NSA fall under DOJ?
Founded in 1952, NSA is part of the Department of Defense and a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community. The Agency supports military customers, national policymakers, and the counterterrorism and counterintelligence communities, as well as key international allies.
Which is bigger, NSA or CIA?
Between then and the end of the Cold War, it became the largest of the U.S. intelligence organizations in terms of personnel and budget. Still, information available as of 2013 indicates that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) pulled ahead in this regard, with a budget of $14.7 billion.
Who has power over the doj?
The department is headed by the U.S. attorney general, who reports directly to the president of the United States and is a member of the president's Cabinet. Merrick Garland has served as attorney general since March 2021 to 2025. The acting attorney general is James McHenry.
What is the most powerful law enforcement agency in the world?
The FBI: Inside the World's Most Powerful Law Enforcement Agency: Ronald Kessler: 9780671786588: Amazon.com: Books.
Who has the highest authority in law enforcement?
Answer and Explanation: The Department of Justice is the law enforcement agency with the most power in the United States. In fact, its job is to enforce federal laws. The Department of Justice is led by the attorney general, a cabinet-level official who is appointed by the president.
Is FBI higher than police?
If a crime is committed that is a violation of local, state, and federal laws, does the FBI “take over” the investigation? No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations.
Is DEA under the DOJ?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is a component of the Department of Justice, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and others.
Who controls the U.S. DOJ?
§§ 501 and 503), the Department of Justice (DOJ or the Department) is headed by the Attorney General of the United States. The Department was created to control federal law enforcement, and all criminal prosecutions and civil suits in which the United States has an interest.
Who is the number one intelligence agency in the world?
1 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Over the past 70 years, the CIA has been involved in various covert and paramilitary operations aimed at advancing U.S. interests globally. The CIA is also considered the most technologically advanced spy agency in the world.
What department is the FBI under?
Department of Justice | Federal Bureau of Investigation | United States Department of Justice.
Is CIA under the DOJ?
No, the CIA is not part of the Department of Justice. It is an independent federal agency. The director of the CIA is a cabinet-level appointee who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. The CIA is headquartered in Langley, Virginia.
Why can't CIA operate on U.S. soil?
By law, CIA is specifically prohibited from collecting foreign intelligence concerning the domestic activities of US citizens. Its mission is to collect information related to foreign intelligence and foreign counterintelligence.
What is a CIA boss called?
The Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA) is nominated by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Director manages the operations, personnel, and budget of the Central Intelligence Agency.
What are the big 5 intelligence agencies?
Nine Department of Defense elements—the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National Security Agency (NSA), the National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and intelligence elements of the five DoD services; the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force.
Does the President have power over the CIA?
They are joined in this by other executive agencies such as the CIA and Environmental Protection Agency, the heads of which are not part of the Cabinet, but who are under the full authority of the President.
What was the FBI originally called?
Wickersham, gave this band of agents their first name—the Bureau of Investigation. It stuck. During its first 15 years, the Bureau was a shadow of its future self.