FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)

Definition

The FBI is a federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating crimes against U.S laws including terrorism, cybercrime, white-collar crime, public corruption etc., providing intelligence services and ensuring national security.

Analogy

Consider FBI as your school's disciplinary committee but on a much larger scale. They investigate rule-breaking incidents (crimes), gather information about potential issues (intelligence), and work towards maintaining peace within school grounds (national security).

Related terms

J. Edgar Hoover: He was the first Director of FBI serving from its establishment in 1935 until his death in 1972. His tenure marked significant expansion in FBI's powers.

COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program): A series of covert projects conducted by FBI aimed at surveilling, infiltrating, discrediting and disrupting domestic political organizations.

Patriot Act: A law passed after the 9/11 attacks that expanded the surveillance powers of law enforcement agencies including FBI to prevent terrorist attacks.