United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation

Founded in 1908, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Justice. Over time it grew from a small federal investigative force into one of the best-known agencies in the United States, with responsibilities that include counterterrorism, counterintelligence, public corruption, organized crime, cybercrime, and major violent crime investigations.

The bureau’s history is closely tied to some of the most dramatic chapters in American public life. It became especially prominent during the long tenure of J. Edgar Hoover, who shaped the agency’s culture and public image while also leaving behind a legacy that remains deeply controversial. Histories of the FBI often include both its investigative successes and serious criticism over surveillance abuses and its treatment of civil rights leaders and political activists.

Today, the FBI presents itself as both a law enforcement and intelligence organization, working through headquarters in Washington, D.C., field offices across the country, and partnerships with local, state, federal, and international agencies. Its official history and public materials highlight a mission focused on protecting the United States from threats while upholding federal law.