what keeps the president from influencing the fbi or attorney general

by Freddy Graham 5 min read

Does the FBI Director report to the Attorney General?

The FBI Director reports to the Deputy AG and the AG, and the Department of Justice is the parent agency over the FBI. Practically speaking, the relationship between the FBI Director and Deputy AG is one of collaboration and professional respect more than a “rank” thing. Does the FBI Director work for the Attorney General?

Does the President nominate the FBI Director?

By law, the president does nominate the FBI director, and that nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. But the position of the FBI director reports to the deputy attorney general.

Does the Attorney General have absolute power over the FBI?

The Attorney General is the head of the Justice Department of which the FBI is a subdivision. He, therefore, has hypothetically absolute power. But statutory and regulatory provisions, along with ethical rules and traditional norms, limit his degree of intervention.

How powerful is the FBI Director?

Even though they report to the attorney general, FBI directors have held enormous power throughout history. Hoover was so powerful that he often paid little heed to the attorney general, to whom he reported.

Who oversees the FBI?

Who did the FBI report to?

How long is the FBI director term?

When was the FBI founded?

Who authorized the FBI to wiretap Nixon?

Who is the FBI director for Trump?

Has Wray asked for loyalty?

See 2 more

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Is the president in charge of 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.

Who has power over the FBI?

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.

What branch of government is the FBI under?

As part of the Department of Justice (DOJ), the FBI reports the results of its investigations to the attorney general of the United States and his assistants in Washington, D.C., and to the United States attorneys' offices in the country's federal judicial districts.

How does the attorney general influence the executive branch?

As head of the Department of Justice and chief legal counsel to the president, the duties of the attorney general are obviously important and wide reaching. The attorney general prosecutes cases that involve the government and gives advice to the president and heads of the executive departments when needed.

Who does the US Attorney General report to?

President of the United StatesUnited States Attorney GeneralMember ofCabinet National Security CouncilReports toPresident of the United StatesSeatRobert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building Washington, D.C.AppointerPresident of the United States with United States Senate advice and consent13 more rows

What law enforcement agency has the most power?

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. The FBI is part of the Department of Justice.

Is the FBI privately owned?

No. The FBI is a national security organization that works closely with many partners around the country and across the globe to address the most serious security threats facing the nation. We are one of many federal agencies with law enforcement responsibilities.

Who controls the Department of Justice?

the Attorney GeneralA concerned Congress passed the Act to Establish the Department of Justice (ch. 150, 16 Stat. 162), creating "an executive department of the government of the United States" with the Attorney General as its head.

What's higher than the CIA?

The National Security Agency (NSA) is a national-level intelligence agency of the United States Department of Defense, under the authority of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)....National Security Agency.Agency overviewPreceding agencyArmed Forces Security AgencyHeadquartersFort Meade, Maryland, U.S. 39°6′32″N 76°46′17″W10 more rows

Can the President replace the attorney general?

The President of the United States has the authority to appoint U.S. Attorneys, with the consent of the United States Senate, and the President may remove U.S. Attorneys from office. In the event of a vacancy, the United States Attorney General is authorized to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney.

How powerful is the attorney general?

The Attorney General of the United States – appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate – heads the DOJ with its more than 100,000 attorneys, special agents, and other staff. It represents the United States in federal criminal and civil litigation, and provides legal advice to the President and Cabinet.

What power does the US Attorney General have?

The principal duties of the Attorney General are to: Represent the United States in legal matters. Supervise and direct the administration and operation of the offices, boards, divisions, and bureaus that comprise the Department.

Who is higher FBI or Homeland security?

US Department of Homeland Security is most highly rated for Compensation and benefits and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is most highly rated for Compensation and benefits....Overall Rating.Overall Rating3.84.3Management3.23.8Culture3.54.03 more rows

Does Secret Service have jurisdiction over FBI?

The Secret Service has concurrent jurisdiction with the FBI over certain violations of federal computer crime laws.

Does FBI have authority over police?

No. State and local law enforcement agencies are not subordinate to the FBI, and the FBI does not supervise or take over their investigations. Instead, the investigative resources of the FBI and state and local agencies are often pooled in a common effort to investigate and solve the cases.

Who is current director of FBI?

Christopher WrayAugust 2, 2017 - Present Christopher Wray became the eighth Director of the FBI on August 2, 2017. Mr. Wray was born in New York City. He graduated from Yale University in 1989 and earned his law degree from Yale Law School in 1992.

Who oversees the FBI?

Also, the agency's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence, according to the FBI .

Who did the FBI report to?

Even though they report to the attorney general, FBI directors have held enormous power throughout history. Hoover was so powerful that he often paid little heed to the attorney general, to whom he reported.

How long is the FBI director term?

FBI directors serve a lengthy 10-year term designed to guard FBI directors' political independence — and presidents typically do not want to give even the appearance of influencing the nonpolitical law enforcement agency's investigations.

When was the FBI founded?

Here's a bit of history: The agency that would become the FBI was founded back in 1908, after Congress banned the loan of Secret Service operatives to other federal agencies. That forced Charles Bonaparte, attorney general under President Theodore Roosevelt, to create a force of investigators for the Justice Department.

Who authorized the FBI to wiretap Nixon?

In 1969, Hoover would only authorize the FBI to start wiretaps on members of Nixon’s own administration and journalists if he had the written authorization of his direct superior at the time, Attorney General John Mitchell.

Who is the FBI director for Trump?

Trump's FBI director nominee Chris Wray: 'No one asked me for any kind of loyalty oath'

Has Wray asked for loyalty?

Wray, for his part, has said no one has asked him for a loyalty pledge of any kind.

What is the FBI's job?

As the nation’s chief law enforcement arm, the FBI today is tasked with three main responsibilities: investigating violations of federal law, pursuing counterterrorism cases and disrupting the work of foreign intelligence operatives. Anything beyond these raises serious ethical questions.

What did Franklin Roosevelt do to help the FBI?

Roosevelt helped promote Hoover’s crime control program and expand FBI authority. Hoover grew the FBI from a small, relatively limited agency into a large and influential one.

What did Hoover do to stop Nixon from leaking?

He resisted Nixon’s attempts to centralize intelligence coordination in the White House, especially when Nixon asked that the FBI use intrusive surveillance to find White House leaks. Not satisfied, the Nixon administration created its own leak-stopping unit: the White House plumbers – which ended in the Watergate scandal.

How did Hoover influence the FBI?

Hoover grew the FBI from a small, relatively limited agency into a large and influential one. He then provided the president with information on his critics, and even some foreign intelligence, all while ingratiating himself with FDR to retain his job.

What did Comey try to tell Trump?

He tried to tell Trump the proper procedures for communicating with the FBI. These policies have been enmeshed in Justice Department guidelines. And for good reason.

What did Hoover provide to Nixon?

Hoover continued to provide a wealth of political intelligence to Nixon through a formal program called INLET. However, Hoover also felt vulnerable given intensified public protest due to the Vietnam War and public focus on his actions at the FBI.

How long did the FBI director serve?

Not until after Hoover’s death did Americans learn of his abuses of authority. Reform followed. In 1976, Congress mandated a 10-year term for FBI directors. The Justice Department later issued guidelines on how the FBI director was to deal with the White House and the president, and how to conduct investigations.

Who does the FBI report to?

Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence.

What is the dust up involving the FBI and DOJ losers?

The current dust up involving the FBI and DOJ losers who use their resources to position themselves for future power plays is part of the DNA of theses federal agencies . I was never a fan of the Clintons , but the irregularities in how they were investigated , emerging as an unintended consequence of the Trump-Russia wastemoney-o-rama , showing how they still amass data (sometimes fictional ) to put into files and use it later as authoritative evidence to support probable cause to get even more amassed data.

What is the basis for a 1983 civil suit?

1983 actions can also be civil. If someone sues a law enforcement agency or officer in federal court, the basis for the lawsuit is usually 42 USC 1983. The USDOJ doesn’t usually get involved in those.

What is the correct answer to a request for agency action?

Hopefully, the agency representatives who have that discretion have the intelligence, training, expertise and Judgment to use that discretion properly. Sometimes the correct answer is to refuse to do what is being asked. If a member of the public finds themselves in this situation, it’s best to engage in a good faith conversation to find out wha the agency’s concerns are and to see if those can be addressed. A safety concern may be resolved by a proposal to add additional safety features to a proposed project. If cost is the issue, perhaps the member of the public can arrange for alternative funding sources. Here is a chance to be creative and get a “win-win.” Nevertheless, sometimes the answer will still be “No.”

What is the scope of the 1983 Civil Rights Act?

of Justice (USDOJ) goes after a state or local police department, they usually do it via a threat or actual prosecution of the Civil Rights Act. This is often called a “1983 action” because the law it references is 42 USC 1983. Unlike most extremely wordy federal statutes, this one is only 145 words. Its scope is very broad, covering everything from excessive force to denial of voting rights.

Is the FBI a part of the DOJ?

The AG leads the DOJ. The FBI is a part of the DOJ. So in terms of a direct line of influence yes.

Can a state prosecutor prosecute a federal crime?

is jurisdiction-limited. A county district attorney can’t prosecute for crimes that occur outside his or her county. A state attorney general can’t go after crimes that take place in another state. The U.S. Attorney General can investigate and prosecute any federal offense, no matter where it takes place.

What is the FBI's job?

As the nation’s chief law enforcement arm, the FBI today is tasked with three main responsibilities: investigating violations of federal law, pursuing counterterrorism cases and disrupting the work of foreign intelligence operatives. Anything beyond these raises serious ethical questions.

How long is the FBI director's term?

In 1976, Congress mandated a 10-year term for FBI directors. The Justice Department later issued guidelines on how the FBI director was to deal with the White House and the president, and how to conduct investigations. These guidelines have been reaffirmed, revised and reissued by subsequent attorneys general, most recently in 2009. The guidelines state, for example: “Initial communications between the Department and the White House concerning pending or contemplated criminal investigations or cases will involve only the Attorney General or the Deputy Attorney General.”

What did Hoover do to stop Nixon from leaking?

He resisted Nixon’s attempts to centralize intelligence coordination in the White House, especially when Nixon asked that the FBI use intrusive surveillance to find White House leaks. Not satisfied, the Nixon administration created its own leak-stopping unit: the White House plumbers – which ended in the Watergate scandal.

Who was Nixon's ally?

One might think that when Richard Nixon ascended to the presidency in 1968, he would have found an ally in Hoover, given their shared anti-Communism. Hoover continued to provide a wealth of political intelligence to Nixon through a formal program called INLET. However, Hoover also felt vulnerable given intensified public protest due to the Vietnam War and public focus on his actions at the FBI.

Who was JFK's brother?

But when John F. Kennedy became president in 1961, Hoover’s relationship with the president faced a challenge. JFK’s brother, Robert Kennedy, was made attorney general. Given JFK’s close relationship with his brother, Hoover could no longer bypass his boss and deal directly with the president, as he so often did in the past. Not seeing eye to eye with the Kennedys, Hoover cut back on volunteering political intelligence reports to the White House. Instead, he only responded to requests, while collecting information on JFK’s extramarital affairs.

What did Comey try to tell Trump?

He tried to tell Trump the proper procedures for communicating with the FBI. These policies have been enmeshed in Justice Department guidelines. And for good reason.

Who created the Federal Bureau of Investigation?

It all started with a short memo, dated July 26, 1908, and signed by Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General, describing a “regular force of special agents” available to investigate certain cases of the Department of Justice. This memo is celebrated as the official birth of the Federal Bureau of Investigation—known throughout the world today as the FBI.

What is the story of a Philadelphia agent?

The story is told, for example, of a Philadelphia agent who was for years allowed to split time between doing his job and tending his cranberry bog.

Where was the Bureau of Justice's first home?

Left: The Bureau’s first home, the Department of Justice building at 1435 K Street in N.W. Washington, D.C. Library of Congress. Right: Stanley W. Finch.

Who was the first special agent?

One of the first special agents credentials. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer responded with a massive investigation, led by a young Justice Department lawyer named J. Edgar Hoover, who amassed detailed information and intelligence on radicals and their activities.

When did the Secret Service get banned?

In a complicated, political showdown with Congress, involving what lawmakers charged was Roosevelt’s grab for executive power, Congress banned the loan of Secret Service operatives to any federal department in May 1908.

Who oversees the FBI?

Also, the agency's intelligence activities are overseen by the Director of National Intelligence, according to the FBI .

Who did the FBI report to?

Even though they report to the attorney general, FBI directors have held enormous power throughout history. Hoover was so powerful that he often paid little heed to the attorney general, to whom he reported.

How long is the FBI director term?

FBI directors serve a lengthy 10-year term designed to guard FBI directors' political independence — and presidents typically do not want to give even the appearance of influencing the nonpolitical law enforcement agency's investigations.

When was the FBI founded?

Here's a bit of history: The agency that would become the FBI was founded back in 1908, after Congress banned the loan of Secret Service operatives to other federal agencies. That forced Charles Bonaparte, attorney general under President Theodore Roosevelt, to create a force of investigators for the Justice Department.

Who authorized the FBI to wiretap Nixon?

In 1969, Hoover would only authorize the FBI to start wiretaps on members of Nixon’s own administration and journalists if he had the written authorization of his direct superior at the time, Attorney General John Mitchell.

Who is the FBI director for Trump?

Trump's FBI director nominee Chris Wray: 'No one asked me for any kind of loyalty oath'

Has Wray asked for loyalty?

Wray, for his part, has said no one has asked him for a loyalty pledge of any kind.

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