The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States, operating under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice. Founded on July 26, 1908, as the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), it adopted its current name in 1935. The FBI's mission encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, including the enforcement of federal laws, counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigations. It is headquartered in the J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington, D.C., and operates 56 field offices across major cities throughout the United States, along with over 400 resident agencies in smaller cities and areas. The FBI employs over 35,000 people, including special agents and support professionals such as intelligence analysts, language specialists, scientists, and information technology specialists. The agency's investigative priorities are constantly evolving but traditionally include terrorism, cybercrime, public corruption...

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The United States Department of Justice (DOJ), often referred to simply as the Justice Department, is a federal executive department of the U.S. government tasked with the enforcement of federal laws and administration of justice. Established on July 1, 1870, during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, the DOJ's origins can be traced back to the Judiciary Act of 1789, which created the Office of the Attorney General, but it wasn't until nearly a century later that it was established as an executive department. The Department of Justice is headed by the Attorney General, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. As the chief law enforcement officer and lawyer for the government, the Attorney General oversees a vast portfolio of federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), among others. Did You Know? The DOJ operates the largest ...

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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a prominent federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice. Its roots can be traced back to 1886, with its formal establishment as an independent bureau occurring in 1972. The ATF is tasked with regulating and overseeing the enforcement of laws related to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson. Its mission is to protect the public from crimes involving these areas, including the illegal use and trafficking of firearms, acts of arson, and bombings. The ATF also plays a crucial role in regulating the sale, possession, and transportation of firearms and ammunition in the U.S. It is responsible for issuing federal firearms licenses to sellers and conducting background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Additionally, the ATF oversees the regulation of alcohol and tobacco products, ensuring compliance with federal laws designed to prev...

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The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a crucial component of the federal law enforcement agency in the United States. Established in 1789, it holds the distinction of being the oldest U.S. federal law enforcement agency. The USMS operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and serves as the enforcement arm of the federal courts. Its primary roles include the protection of court officers and buildings, the apprehension of fugitives, the management of assets seized from criminal enterprises, the protection of witnesses, and the transportation of federal prisoners. The U.S. Marshals have a storied history that intertwines with the development of the American frontier and the enforcement of federal law throughout the nation's history. They have been involved in some of the most famous incidents in American history, including the enforcement of court orders during the Civil Rights Movement and the pursuit of notorious criminals like Jesse James and John Dillinger...

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The United States Secret Service, often abbreviated as USSS, is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security. It was established on July 5, 1865, initially tasked with suppressing counterfeit currency, which was a significant issue following the Civil War. Today, the Secret Service is renowned for its dual missions: protection and investigation. Protection Mission: The Secret Service is perhaps best known for its role in protecting the President of the United States, the Vice President, their immediate families, and visiting foreign dignitaries. It also secures the White House, the Vice President's residence, and the immediate surroundings. The agency's protective duties extend to major National Special Security Events (NSSEs), such as presidential inaugurations and international summits held in the U.S. Investigation Mission: Beyond its protective role, the Secret Service continues its original mission of safeguarding the nation's financial infrastru...

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Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a pivotal agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States, tasked with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs, and immigration. Established on March 1, 2003, as a response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, CBP consolidated functions of several border organizations, creating a unified border control entity. CBP is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations, with a workforce of over 60,000 employees, including officers, agents, and aviation and maritime operators. Its operations are spread across the United States, protecting 328 ports of entry, including airports, land borders, and seaports. Did You Know? CBP's Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is a lesser-known but critical component of the agency, equipped with 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels, making it one of the largest air and marine fle...

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a critical agency within the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), primarily responsible for enforcing the nation's immigration laws and ensuring the security of its borders. Established in March 2003, ICE was formed in the wake of the September 11 attacks, with the aim of enhancing the security of the United States through the consolidation of several pre-existing federal agencies under the newly created DHS. ICE's operations are divided into two main components: Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). ERO focuses on arresting and deporting individuals who are in the United States illegally, particularly those who have committed crimes, while HSI is tasked with investigating a wide range of domestic and international activities arising from illegal movement of people and goods into, within, and out of the United States. Did You Know? ICE operates the largest detention system...

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The National Security Agency (NSA) is a key institution within the United States Department of Defense, headquartered at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Established on November 4, 1952, the NSA is tasked with global monitoring, collection, and processing of information and data for foreign and domestic intelligence and counterintelligence purposes, specializing in a discipline known as signals intelligence (SIGINT). The agency is also charged with the protection of U.S. government communications and information systems against penetration and network warfare. The NSA operates under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense and reports to the Director of National Intelligence. It has been involved in numerous operations and projects throughout its history, some of which have been highly controversial and have sparked global debates on privacy, surveillance, and the ethical limits of national security. Did You Know? - The NSA is often referred to by insiders as "No Such Agency"...

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The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian foreign intelligence service of the federal government of the United States, tasked with gathering, processing, and analyzing national security information from around the world, primarily through the use of human intelligence (HUMINT). As one of the principal members of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), the CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence and is primarily focused on providing intelligence for the President and Cabinet of the United States. Founded on September 18, 1947, by signing the National Security Act by President Harry S. Truman, the CIA succeeded the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) to conduct espionage activities beyond American borders. Headquartered in Langley, Virginia, it operates in numerous locations worldwide. The CIA has been involved in various operations, including intelligence gathering, covert operations, and cyber intelligence. It played significant roles during the Cold War, in th...

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency within the United States tasked with public security, roughly equivalent to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its primary missions involve anti-terrorism, border security, immigration and customs, cyber security, and disaster prevention and management. Established in response to the September 11 attacks, DHS officially began operations on March 1, 2003, amalgamating 22 federal departments and agencies into a unified, integrated cabinet agency. DHS is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and operates under the leadership of the Secretary of Homeland Security. With over 240,000 employees, DHS is one of the largest federal agencies, showcasing a diverse range of roles from cybersecurity analysts to the Coast Guard and Secret Service. Did You Know? - The creation of DHS was the largest U.S. government reorganization since the Department of Defense was established via the National Security Act of 1947. - DHS...

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